Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate it today. The Chinese also called it Spring Festival and the date is set based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, and new year day usually occur between January and February. So yeah, it is never on a fixed date.
Here is me, holding a happy new year sign:
Many other Asians too celebrate the new year on the same day such as the Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Mongolian and etc. In some places, the celebrations could last for over a week and celebrations are an explosion of light and sound, bell ringing, lighting firecrackers, watching traditional lion dances, and eating lots of traditional food.
Chinese families clean their houses to sweep away bad fortune prior to New Year's Day, and gather together for a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve before they start the first week of new year with more gatherings and celebrations with other close relatives and friends.
Traditionally, indulging in food and gifts giving are the main activities during those gatherings. Also, kids would be given red envelopes stuffed with 'lucky money' and positive wishes on New Year's Day. Apparently, some people now have red envelope apps and so their elder can transfer cash digitally. I guess, time has changed!!!
Growing up, my family only consisted of me, my two sisters, my nanny and my mom. We didn't have any relatives, but my mom had a lots of business friends and we would be given a lot of gifts (I mean a lot) and red pocket with cash. My older sister was all about the red pocket money, while I was (still am) all about the food and my younger sister was all about going out. See, we three are all so different in terms of personality.
Speaking of personality, 2018 is the Year of the Dog (Earth Dog year to be exact). According to the Asian astrology, your year of birth - and the animal this represents - determines a lot about your personality traits.
My baby boy will be born in May this year and so he will be our little puppy, lol. Apparently, they say anyone born in an Earth Dog year will be communicative, serious and responsible in the workplace. Oh man, I only want my boy to be 100% healthy, 200% happy and 300% fun - You have got to have fun living!!!
My husband (who is not Asian) and I celebrated New Year early by having Chinese Buffet. Here are photos of some of my plates (hehe):
