“Gung Hay Fat Choy!” or Happy Chinese New Year!

February 7th, 2008 is the first day of the Chinese New Year and marks the beginning of the year of the Rat.  The Chinese New Year is based on the astronomical observations of the movement of the Sun, Moon and stars and the first day of the new year is not the same each year.   Last year, the first day of the Chinese New Year was February 18th. 

The Chinese calls the New Year’s Celebration the “Spring Festival.”  The celebration lasts several days and includes firework displays, dragon and lion dances in elaborate costumes, and the exchange of “red envelopes or red packets” that contain money accompanied by chocolate coins. Typically, red couplets and red lanterns are displayed on door frames and light up the streets.

Several North American cities hold Chinese New Year Parades including New York, Vancouver, British Columbia, and San Francisco where the Southwest Airlines sponsored Chinese New Year Festival and Parade features the newly crowned Miss Chinatown USA. 

If you’re planning you’re own Chinese New Year celebration here are some ideas:

• Decor: Make or buy colorful Chinese lanterns to decorate the space.  You may also chose to obtain Chinese posters or photos from travel magazines featuring scenes from actual Chinese New Year celebrations and frame them through the party.
• Invites: Make invites in the shape of a Rat and adorn it with the Chinese character for Luck.
• Food: Serve mandarin oranges with a caramel glaze as an appetizer as mandarin oranges are a popular food for the new year.  Various types of teas served in small tea cup would also go well with the theme.
• Favor: As a favor opt for red envelopes with a few coins in each and some chocolate coins.

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