Chinese New Year is one of our favorite holidays. I should explain that I’m not even remotely Chinese, and neither is my husband. But we still celebrate Chinese New Year. We started about six years ago. My oldest son learned about China and this celebration while he was in 2nd grade. We didn’t know what we were doing, but we celebrated anyway. And the second year we even got the date wrong!
In the years since then, we’ve learned some things. You are supposed to start the new year off with a clean house. But you don’t clean house for the fifteen days of the New Year Festival because that’s considered ‘sweeping your luck away’. Two weeks without housework sounds like a dream come true to me! I know it’s not possible though. A couple of days without housework would have us all swimming in dirty clothes, trash and dog hair.
I am positive we don’t celebrate the holiday exactly right or traditional. But that’s okay. And I think that’s what I love about it. No relatives are offended by our picking one family’s traditions over the other. I’m not intimidated by huge magazine layouts showing me the way the holiday should look and smell and be. Instead, we do it our way.
I like that we learn a little more about this different culture every year. So what do we do? We always go out for Chinese New Year, or bring home takeout. Traditionally oranges are served because they symbolize abundant happiness. Sweets and candy are included too, symbolizing the hope of a sweet new year. Noodles symbolize a long life. We like to wear bright colors, especially red since that is considered a color of good fortune. We make paper lanterns out of construction paper. Sometimes we print out dragons or Chinese symbols to use for decoration. Part of the traditional celebration is remembering departed relatives, making it a good time to share a family story or two.
Our version of Chinese New Year has become something we all look forward too. A no stress holiday – no wonder it’s one of our favorites.
Also see:
Where to Celebrate Chinese New Year