The vast majority of the world’s fairy lights, fake trees, sparkly stars and other seasonal tat is made in China—mostly in a single city, Yiwu, on the eastern seaboard. Now Chinese are enjoying more of these goodies at home, too. For most the impetus is not Christ but commerce: in big cities the halls of shopping malls and fancy hotels are decked with tinsel and holly; shops ring with carols (in English and Chinese) and a growing number of young people exchange gifts with friends and colleagues. But most are more familiar with Santa Claus than with Jesus. Although China has tens of millions of Christians, the Communist Party remains wary of religion, and Christianity in particular, as a rival focus for loyalty. In the past 18 months crosses have been removed even from many officially sanctioned churches. Flashing Santas pose less of a threat.