The Christmas season is here with decorations and lights in and around the major department stores and hotels, and perhaps even in your own home. For those who have just arrived, check out Christmas decorations with trees as low as 10 yuan (US$1.2) at Carrefour. A number of local markets listed below offer viable and sometimes cheaper alternatives:

Xicheng District, Tianyi Small Goods Market

Location: Zhongguancun Nandajie, opposite the National Library

Hours: 8 am to 5 pm

Haidian District, Nature Flower & Plant Market

Location: At the west gate of Peking University

Hours: 9 am to 5 pm

Fengtai District, Yuquanying Flower & Plant Market

Location: Xisanhuan Nanlu, on the southwest corner of Yuquanying Crossover

Hours: 9 am to 5 pm

Flower king

This vibrant wreath delivers the season's harvest to their front door. May be hung on a door or wall or used as a radiant centerpiece around a hurricane candle.

You can also find similar decorations that help you bring the holidays home in Huakui Flower Art, a store dedicated to artificial flower making. Their vases made from plant roots and marbles are recommended.

Location: 1/F of Beijing Gardening & Flower Market, 28 Puhuangyu Lu, at the southeast corner of Yuting flyover on the Third Ring Road, Fengtai District

Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Tel: 6767-6633

Christmas classics

Chocolate delight

Buying a box of chocolates for those you care about is a great tradition of the festive season.

To add a little twist to a traditional gift idea, try a different brand and a different taste. Excellent, a newcomer to the chocolate family, may be a good choice. Its price is competitive and packaging attractive.

It is produced by Yake Foods, a new participant in the industry from Fujian Province.

Available at most major department stores and supermarket.

Year of Goat

Nowadays calendars are no longer simply bought for practical use. It has become an important and popular medium for all kinds of art, such as paper cut, water color, oil painting and calligraphy. Take a look around some major bookstores to decide what you like best.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, next year will be the year of the goat, which is also known as the Sheep or Ram, and is another auspicious year as it is always believed in China to symbolize good luck and happiness.

You won't have difficulty finding something featuring a goat.

Location: Wangfujing Xinhua Book Store, 218 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District

Hours: 9 am to 10 pm Tel: 6512-6074

imely trends

Xmas Speical: Snow queen

Timepieces were originally a tool used for telling the time, but in the fashion world, watches change along with the latest trends. Do you really want to be caught wearing last season's watch?

The coming of Christmas is maybe sufficient excuse to make the change.

Swatch presents its special edition for Christmas 2002 - Snowqueen. With a wide plastic belt and silver surface, it is decorated with a snow flake pattern.You have to admit, it IS cute! A good gift for a lovely woman.

Prices range from 680 yuan (US$82) to 1,280 yuan (US$155).

Available in major department stores around the city like Lufthansa Shopping Centre, Wangfujing Department Store and One World Departent Store.

Mobile mania

CECT treo 270 will be on sale in Beijing and many other cities in China from December.

The Taiwan-based Grandtech C.G. Systems Inc has teamed up with its mainland partner, China Electronics Communication Technology (CECT), to promote its new cell phone to the mainland market.

Cycle helmet from BMW Lifestyle

Price: 1,175 yuan (US$142)

BMW Lifestyle features a series of sports wear and accessories for cycling and skiing. Worth a look. It is even fun just to try it on.

Location 1: 1/F World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

Location 2: 1/F, Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

(Beijing Weekend December 23, 2002)