We recently held our 2007 Christmas party at the Ming Ya Culture Centre and Tea House, situated inside the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
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The party which took place on the 27th December was attended by a mixed group of western and Chinese guests, to celebrate a traditional “English” Christmas, with home-made mince pies, sherry and Xmas carols.
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The guests mainly wore traditional Chinese costume as part of the festive fun, with the “best dressed” being awarded a prize from Ming Ya’s selection of beautiful carvings and traditional Chinese crafts.
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Ms Lynn Patti, who attended with her family, was presented with a sandalwood bead bracelet, for wearing her costume – a beautiful Qing Dynasty-style silk jacket; along with Ms Virginia Withers, who also received a gift for kindly baking delicious mince pies for the evening. (Which were very happily devoured by all the guests attending!)
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The evening drew to a close with a wonderfully, fun and enthusiastic round of carols and traditional Chinese folk songs, including Peking Opera, especially sung in dedication to Ms Patti’s son and daughter-in-law, who are recently married.
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The evening ended with all the guests being presented with a beautiful book featuring some of the paintings of artist Ren Yao Yi.