The Great Big List: December

1. Shanghairen are all about holiday shopping. Give in, dodge the cold and explore Shanghai’s metro malls. Or give yourself a pre-Christmas shopping present and book a day with a local shopping expert.

2. Get your tickets to Fame and check out Shanghai’s newest theater and Broadway show.

3. Don’t settle for a plastic tree this year -- plan early and get a real Christmas tree.

4. Celebrate Chanukah with the Jewish community at the Ohel Rachel synagogue, one of two temples still standing in a testament to Shanghai’s former Jewish population. December 13 at 5pm at 500 Shaanxi Bei Lu 陕西北路500号.

5. Legendary pianist, composer and conductor Leslie Howard performs at Three on the Bund, December 12 at 11:30am.

6. Stop by the Shanghai Barbie store and meet Barbie Santa. This is one lap you'll want to sit on.

7. Cozy up to the fire places in the Puli hotel library (1 Changde Lu, 1/F, The Puli Hotel and Spa, near Yan'an Zhong Lu 常德路1号1楼璞麗酒店, 近延安中路), at Cotton’s and at Balthazar.

8. According to traditional Chinese medicine, December 22 is the coldest day of the year. Warm up the way the Chinese do and drink your gaofang for the next six weeks.

9. Hit the slopes for a ski weekend with iconx, or stay in town and kick it at Shanghai’s own indoor slope at Yinqixing (1835 Qixin Lu, near Gudai Lu 七莘路1835号, 近顾戴路, +86 21 6478 8666).

10. Drink the hot chocolate at Charmant -- and bring a friend, you'll need help finishing this decadent cup of liquid chocolate. (1414 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu 淮海中路1414号, 近复兴西路, +86 21 6431 8107).

11. Get into the Christmas spirit early with ‘A Christmas Carol’.

12. Stop by el Coctel’s soft opening around December 13 and cheers Marty and Willy.

13. Party for a good cause with Shanghai’s animal rescue foundation, the SCAA, at its annual Christmas Gala on December 8 at 7:30pm at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.

15. While looking for a good place for your Chinese New Year vacation, find a great last-minute deal and get away for Christmas and New Years.

16. Celebrate JC's big day the traditional way with Handel's “Messiah,” sung by the Shanghai International Festival Chorus.

17. Start searching for the perfect rain boots -- you know you’ll need them come January.

18. If you miss the Shanghai Repertory Theater’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ during its first run at the Ke Center, stop by as they take over the scandalous Chinatown on December 9 for an encore performance.

19. Take advantage of one of Shanghai’s few true men’s nights at Vargas Grill on December 15.

20. Indulge in a wholesome night of Christmas carols and networking at BritCham’s Sundowner event at Mesa & Manifesto.

21. Get your ticket to a taping of Asia Uncut. Sure the studio is out in the boonies, but they're offering free transportation out there and the taping is sure to be a party.