The Chinese New Year, which is the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar, is the most important and longest of all Chinese festivals celebrated by Chinese communities throughout the world. Chinese New Year celebrations include offerings to household deities, house cleaning, new clothes, ancestor worship and reunion dinner.
People may also wear red clothes and give children “lucky money” in red packet. Household doors are thrown open to let good luck enter on the first day of the New Year. Families go out to visit friends and worship at temples. Words are carefully watched to avoid saying anything that signifies death, sickness or poverty.
Dragon and lion dances are performed around this time of the year with many people supporting the long dragons, which are typically made of silk, paper and bamboo.
Chinese New Year in the 80s
Can you remember what you enjoyed most about Chinese New Year when you were young?
My family does not have the luxury of buying new clothes throughout the year. One month before Chinese New Year, my parent will bring me to buy two set of new clothes and one pair of shoes. After waiting for 11 months, I finally going to have new pretty dresses to wear.
Besides wearing new clothes, we enjoyed the traditional cookies made by my grandparents and grandaunts. They were very delicious. Sad to say, I did not pick up any of their skills.
Of course, I shall not forget the joy of getting “Ang Pow” – lucky money in red packet. Envelopes with money (Hong Bao, Ang Pao, or Lai See), often come in the color red, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, success and good fortune. My “Ang Pow” always ended up with my mother.
Chinese New Year was very fun during the get together sessions with my cousins.
Chinese New Year in the 20th century
Has Chinese New Year changed for the children since the 80s?
Chinese New Year is a time where children get to learn about Chinese values and tradition. For my children, they are more fortunate as they do not need to wait for Chinese New Year to have new clothes. So what is different for them? When my son had his first Chinese New Year, I dressed him in traditional Chinese New Year clothes.
Guess what? Great grandmothers and grandparents was smiling when we greet them with my son with red traditional costume. They were very happy to see my son in traditional Chinese New Year clothing. I see happiness in their eyes.
From then onwards, I will dress my children in traditional Chinese clothes on the 1st day of Chinese New Year. My children like it too as they think they look handsome and beautiful in them. I also shared with them that they have did well as they make their grandparents very happy.
What can children learn in Chinese New Year?
The children can learn
- Chinese tradition like reunion dinner
- Chinese values like respect elderly as they are ask to greet great grandmothers and grand parents
- Develop a sense of belonging in a family with many sessions of get together
- Develop socializing skills when the parents meet up with friends
Chinese New Year is fun for children.
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