In 2010, say goodbye to the Year of the Ox. It’s time to let The Year of the Tiger roar to life! For 15 days beginning February 14th, celebrate with festivities, gifts and great food that bring good fortune, prosperity and happiness!
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Before New Year’s Eve
Days before the New Year, every family is busy giving their house a thorough cleaning, hoping to sweep away all the bad fortune to make way for incoming good luck. Purchasing new shoes, clothing (preferably something red or orange), and receiving a haircut also symbolize a fresh start. So let’s put the past behind us – it’s time for a bright new beginning!
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On New Year’s Eve
The New Year’s Eve dinner celebration is a feast where all family members come together to acknowledge the spirits of their forefathers. Several traditional foods are consumed to usher in wealth, happiness and good fortune. After dinner, the whole family spends the night playing cards, board games, and watching TV programs dedicated to the occasion. At midnight, it’s a tradition to open all doors and windows to let go of the old year.
Create an authentic New Year’s feast right in your own home with delicious recipes from Simply Asia®.
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On New Year’s Day
Very early in the morning, parents greet their children by giving them red envelopes filled with “lucky money”. This represents a wish for fortune and wealth for the coming year. Then the family heads out to pass on greetings from door to door. Small gifts, usually food or sweets, are brought to the homes of friends and relatives.
It’s important that the first day of the New Year is enjoyed with loved ones around a table of great Asian food.
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The Lantern Festival
The following 14 days are spent ushering in the New Year by socializing, making reconciliations, honoring ancestors and welcoming in the fortune gods. The Lantern Festival ends the 15-day celebration when everyone walks the streets at night, carrying decorative lanterns. Competitions are often held when exhibiting these glowing works of art. In many areas, the highlight of the Lantern Festival is the dragon dance, where young men dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. These traditions will be repeated this year in hopes of bringing brightness during the Year of the Tiger.
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