Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is approaching us quickly. Most will celebrate Chinese New Years Eve on Sunday, January 22nd. The year of the Rabbit will depart. The Year of the Rabbit was to bring peace and tranquility. If you were born in the year of the Rabbit you are most likely a diplomat, you prefer to cooperate, and are said to be about good taste and refinement. Well, your year is over....

2012 will usher in the Year of the Dragon. The Year of the Dragon will bring excitement, unpredictability, as well as intensity. If you are a Dragon you are passionate and brave, generous and foolhardy, and you are smart with a great sense of humor. The Dragon's lucky color is yellow. Dragon years can be considered years of wealth. A Dragon year might be a good year to start a business or initiate a new project. Some famous Dragons include: Al Pacino, Matt Dillon, John Lennon, and Ring Starr. Welcome the Year of the Dragon.

In our home we have a Dragon, two Pigs (June is a Golden Pig), an Ox, a Rooster, a Tiger, and a Monkey.

It is traditional to give gifts on Chinese New Year. The most traditional gift is the "red envelope", a small envelope filled with "lucky money". The envelope symbolizes giving good fortune and the money is often used by children to buy treats.





During the holiday families gather to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. Many families participate in traditional activities. One might say that families, fireworks, and food take center stage. Also, many people clean house, pay debts, and get hair cuts, all symbolizing new beginnings.

Families come together and feast during Chinese New Year. Traditional foods include: dumplings, spring rolls, and glutinous rice cakes. Our house favorites are dumplings, Lo Mein, sweet and sour chicken (what can I say I have 5 kids..who doesn't like sweet and sour:), and crab rangoon.

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Houses are decorated with paper decorations, flowers, lanterns, and oranges. The color red symbolizes power, happiness, and longevity, while gold symbolizes good fortune and wealth.

June and I will be decorating the house today with lanterns and other items we have collected throughout the years. We will also be packaging "goodie" bags for preschool...red envelopes included. June will bring all of her treats to school on Monday and share a book about Chinese New Year with her friends.

Our family celebration will take place on Saturday. June will help me set the table with chop sticks, red napkins, red envelopes, and special treats. The girls will dress up (hopefully being the keyword) and we will enjoy our Chinese New Year celebration.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!