But some decorations are literally, way over the top. The best example is a giant blow-up figure of Father Christmas waving to prospective customers outside a restaurant on Baishiqiao Lu. People may get the impression he is demanding rather than inviting them inside.

Just north of the Friendship Hotel is the Beijing Modern Plaza, and as I entered the supermarket, my ears picked up the sounds of two legends of American popular song - Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney (actor George Clooney's late aunt) singing I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.

A few days ago, I passed a group of Chinese workers lifting sacks of mail at a China Post sorting depot, one of them unable to get the sound of the chirpy carol, "Deck the Halls," out of his mind. He kept singing the "la la la" chorus with quickening clipped tones. It probably helped him move the sacks faster, and Santa would definitely have been impressed if the man had been helping load up his sleigh.

Looking through the expat and tourist magazines, there is no doubt Beijing's hotels and restaurants have embraced the festive season, promoting Christmas and New Year feasts for all tastes and budgets.

The only question remains? Will the sentiments of I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas become reality especially to those of us from warmer December climates? If Beijing's milder than usual winter is any indication, the chances seem remote.