Chinese New Year 2012 ~ The year of the Dragon.

Our family loves Chinese New Year!  Each year we celebrate Willow's Taiwanese heritage by celebrating with a trip to China Town and a delicious meal at Joy Yee Noodles.  Yummy!  Last year we gathered with several families that adopted through the same agency we did (Journeys of the Heart) and enjoyed watching our children celebrate together.  We have also gathered with family and friends and celebrated at a local Chinese restaurant.  Whatever it is we choose to do we are sure to honor such a big event in Willow's culture and embrace the traditions.  This year we will be traveling to Springfield, IL to spend time with Paul while he is working there for the third week in a row.  So, our plan is to celebrate there and before we head to Springfield  Luc (10 years old bio son) and Willow (4 years) will receive a red envelope with $1 each for good luck!  We are looking forward to celebrating in a new place and meeting new people. Below are more details about the Chinese New Year.  I will be sure to post pictures when we return!


The Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In 2012, the New Year falls on January 23.

Preparations & Celebrations:
The traditional Chinese New Year's greeting is "Gong hay fat choy!" which means, "May prosperity be with you!" Each day of the 15-day celebration has a significant meaning, and there are specific foods to be eaten and prayers to be said on each day. Many of the preparations Chinese families make for the New Year are done to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year.

Thoroughly cleaning the house before the New Year
Getting a haircut and new clothes to begin the year fresh and clean
Decorating house doors with red scrolls and banners for good luck
Placing live, blooming plants around the house to symbolize renewal
Handing out (from the old generations to younger generations, such as mom to daughter, uncle to nephew, etc.) small red envelopes filled with money, called lai see hong bao, for good luck.

Traditional Foods:
This is a time of family reunions and gatherings and most Chinese families spend New Year's Eve together enjoying huge feasts where many traditional foods are prepared and eaten. Typical foods include:
Dumplings (for wealth and good luck)
Oranges & tangerines (for good luck)
Red dates & melon seeds (for many babies)
Nian gao (a special dish baked for the New Year--the higher it is, the better year it will be)
The Tray of Togetherness (a candy tray filled with lichee nuts, kumquats, peanuts, and lotus seed candies, which symbolize good fortune).

 http://www.nickjr.com/printables/new-years-cleaning-checklist.jhtmlKai Lan's printable New Year cleaning checklist:

Here is a great site with details on the Lunar New Year in Taiwan:
http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/culture/lunar-NY/

Taiwan (Republic of China) will be celebrating it's 101st year this year.  This is determined based on the founding year of the ROC 1912.

Happy New Year!

Xin Nian Kuai Le

http://goodcharacters.com/mp3/happynewyearmp3.swf