An Apple for Christmas

平安夜, or Ping An Ye, is the name for Christmas Eve in China. Translated into English it means, “Peaceful Night.”

  苹果,or ping guo, is the word for “apple” in Mandarin.  

Because the “ping” is similar in these two terms,  giving apples to friends on Christmas Eve is a recently developed custom in Beijing. Many stores have apples wrapped up in colored paper or packaged in fancy boxes especially for this holiday. 

And the prices are "special," too! This is the only day of the year you can pay close to 18 U.S. dollars for a single apple! The characters on the sign read, "World One Apple." 

Merry Christmas Eve from Beijing!