She Knows Parties

Preparing for the Chinese New Year

by Deborah on February 4th, 2008

Thursday marks the Chinese New Year for the year 4705-4706, The Year of the Rat. This is a big time for my family. My husband is Chinese and the Chinese New Year is the biggest and most important holiday celebration of the whole year.

Traditionally, the weekend before the Chinese New Year is spent at my mother in laws making traditional dumplings and other foods in preparation. In fact, this tradition dates back centuries! All the women get together in the kitchen (while the men watch TV in the family room) and talk and prepare the food. It’s very lively, even if I don’t understand half of the conversations.

There’s a lot to do to prepare for the Chinese New Year. Before Thursday we’ll have to:

• Get a hair cut
• Get new shoes for all of us
• Clean the house from top to bottom so we start of the Chinese New Year fresh and new.
• Place a bowl or dish in each room with an offering for the spirits  - oranges, nuts, candy and money in a red and gold envelope.
• A traditional Lazy Susan type bowl decorated with pictures and Chinese characters filled with nuts, dried fruit and candy is placed on our dining room table.

The candy, fruit and money will stay where they are for the duration of the Chinese New Year, two weeks. Traditionally we use pistachios, as they’re smiling. Red is best because red is the color of celebration.

Over the next week, I’ll offer up suggestions for having your own Chinese New Year party. Really, it’s all about food, family and good fortune. All of which I wish for you!

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POSTED IN: Ethic Holidays and Traditions