It's party time!(2)

JaJaJa customized a huge model of Lightening McQueen and displayed it in the party venue. The company also managed to book a 3D cake and more than 100 cupcakes shaped like the car.

Tents and flowers were set up outdoors. JaJaJa also invited local bands and performers from Shanghai's circus and acrobatics troupe.

The company charged 80,000 yuan for the party.

"To arrange such a party takes a great deal of time and energy," Yang says.

"Some clients wouldn't bother and instead entrust the task to us."

More than 90 percent of Yang's customers are foreigners, because Chinese don't have the same party customs, he says.

According to the Shanghai municipal statistics bureau, the number of registered foreigners living in Shanghai surpassed 150,000 in 2009 and has continued to expand with double-digit growth in recent years.

"Shanghai is so cosmopolitan that more foreigners are coming," Yang says.

"And I'm getting more Chinese clients."

As more Chinese people receive better educations and go abroad to study and travel, their lives are becoming partly westernized, Yang says.

"According to my experience, Chinese people are the easiest to get drunk and excited at parties," Yang says.

"They aren't as reserved as they seem."

Yang is optimistic about the future. His hope is to set up national party goods chain, "just like Party City" in the US.

"I believe the market is enormous in China," he says.

SPR Cafe &Bar manager Xi Xi agrees.

The German-style cafe bar started offering beer, coffee and food for parties since 2007. It began offering comprehensive party planning and operation services after seeing the market potential.

"It's obvious that our party catering business has been thriving in the past two years, especially toward the yearend," he says. "I expect the turnover in this sector will increase by 50 percent over last year."

Bigger restaurants, hotels and travel agencies are also enjoying strong seasonal sales.