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• Wear Red — Considered a bright, happy color, red is believed to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future.
   

• Spread Good Fortune — Give red envelopes (“hong bao”) containing a crisp dollar bill to children, unmarried friends, and close friends for good luck.
   

• Decorate with Meaning — Prepare an octagonal tray full of dried fruits, nuts and sweets called a “Chyuhn-haap” or “tray of togetherness,” which symbolizes a variety of well wishes for the coming year.  Here are some options and their meanings:

  • Candied melon - growth and good health
  • Red melon seed - dyed red to symbolize joy,happiness, truth and sincerity
  • Lychee nut - strong family relationships
  • Cumquat - prosperity (gold)
  • Coconut - togetherness
  • Peanuts - long life
  • Longnan - many good sons
  • Lotus seed - many children

Use red and gold to symbolize wealth and good luck and choose floral arrangements that include plum blossom, peach blossom, chrysanthemums and water lilies.

• Open Up — On the stroke of midnight, open every door and window in the house to allow the old year out and the New Year in. Blooming Beauty Decorate the house with blooming plants to represent new growth an wealth.
   

• Fire Away — Set off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve to send off the old year and welcome in the new.
   

• Clean House — Before New Year’s Day, the entire house should be cleaned to sweep away bad luck from the year that's ending.  All brooms and dustpans must be put away before New Year's Eve. If you clean on New Year’s Day, you may sweep out your family’s good fortune!
   

• No Swearing — Negative words, death and dying are not to be mentioned, as they could bring bad luck.
   

• Give a Little-Children, close friends, and family are given “Hong Bao,” little red envelopes on New Year’s Day. They have crisp new bills inside for good fortune. Many people pay off debts before the New Year, too.
   

• Cutting Up — Get a haircut before the New Year, not during, and be sure to wear your new clothes.
   

• Lighting Up — Lights should be kept on overnight on New Year’s Eve.
   

• Meet and Greet — It’s customary to visit close friends and relatives on the New Year.
   

• Catch of the Day — On the last day of New Year, some single people throw apples (men) or oranges (women) into a river or ocean to wish for a good partner.

Ideas for Celebrating:

• Host a Chinese potluck or take-out and invite your friends and family over to celebrate the Chinese New Year with you. 

• If there is a large Chinese community in your town or city, check to see what will be going on. Often dragon dances, parades and other festivities are scheduled and open to the public. Check your local listings or contact the local Chinese cultural centre or cultural association. The bright and open celebrations are not to be missed!

   

Crafts

Dragons on Parade 

Chinese Dragon Puppet

Chinese New Year for kids

Craft some Chinese lanterns, print off activity and coloring sheets or mini books, learn more about China and the Chinese Zodiac. Click here to enter the Enchanted Learning site.

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Party Consultant M. Hylton
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Revised: 01/25/12