Even though there’s a dearth of live Christmas shopping to be done right now, online Christmas markets such as the Rumble in the Jumble’s festive edition – Secret Santa’s Surplus Jumble – and the Christmas Beijing WeChat group founded by Sarah Krasicki, have been ongoing for a while and still seeing new vendors all the time! With so many enterprising entrepreneurs hawking their wares, we asked the experts to sift through them to bring us their top picks from these virtual markets.
Here’s Sarah’s Top 5 picks from the Christmas Beijing WeChat group:
Liuba Draws
New to Beijing, I’ve only recently discovered the wonderful artwork of Liuba Draws, but many of you are likely to be familiar with it.
Liuba’s quirky, colorful watercolor illustrations have been used by well-known businesses such as JOYCE, The Opposite House, Slow Boat Brewery and Wild China to name a few.
I was delighted to discover that in addition to calendars, tote bags and magnet, Liuba Draws also has a Christmas Card collection and a new book ‘Liuba Draws Beijing’. Any of these will make fantastic Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers.
uNic
This Cufaras (Mini Coffer) is an original and new concept created by uNic. It is a gift destined to become an heirloom passed from mother to daughter for generations to come.
The beautifully crafted Beechwood box is decorated with traditional ethnic Romanian motives. Each motive has been carefully selected to represent what every mother wishes for her daughter in life. Hope and light, liberty, joy, passion, abundance, peace, equilibrium, protection and a North Star to guide her along the path of life.
A truly unique gift that I am excited to gift my daughter this Christmas.
Custom Beijing
My family and I love playing北京opoly!
This custom version of the popular family classic is a hilarious take on everyday life in China. It’s a wonderful keepsake for yourself or as a gift for friends who are leaving the Middle Kingdom.
The Chance and Community Chest cards will have you laughing and reminiscing when ‘You are 692 in the Didiqueue’ or you ‘Mistakenly buy 200 items on Taobaothinking the listing was for one’. Travel the city to buy Sanlitun, Shunyi, Wanfujing, Haidian or Guomao and Advance to Go to collect 200RMB.
北京opoly is a wonderful keepsake for yourself or as a gift for friends who are leaving the Middle Kingdom.
WeChat ID: Beijing-2021-
Zhou Ren Da 周人达
Wondering what to get for the person who seemingly has everything? Zhou Ren Da’s name paintings are the perfect gift!
A painter for 28 years, Zhou creates custom artworks of your friends and loved one’s names on scrolls, fans and in frames. Each letter is thoughtfully designed and incorporates traditional Chinese imagery.
Hummingbird Lane
These beautiful fabric re-usable bunting are perfect to decorate your home this Christmas and to treasure as a keepsake for years to come. Lovingly hand-made, eachdesign is limited edition and made with imported, and locally sourced quality cotton fabrics.
Sarah’s range includes children’s designs, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, retro & vintage, floral, and a rainbow of colors.
Reusable decorations reduce waste and bunting is perfect to give and send as gifts as it is compact and light weight! Sarah welcomes custom orders and can help you choose and design bunting to your specifications for any occasion.
And here’s the top choices by Fran Hanshing who currently operates the Secret Santa’s Surplus Jumble.
Don’t forget to check out more gift guides for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts, and Christmas decorations that support a cause too!
Images: Pexels, courtesy of vendors
KEEP READING: Where to Go In Beijing to Get a Little Christmas Cheer
