RedGage

Chinese New Year 2010, the year of the tiger, actually begins on February 14th this year. What luck! Have a little fun with the coincidence by combining the two festive events in one big party for family and friends. In China, red is the color of happiness and prosperity. So break out the red, fire up the stove, heat things up and bring out the tiger in everyone!Chinese New YearChinese New Year is the most important of all the traditional Chinese holidays. People in China and Taiwan may also refer to it as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. Chinese months are calculated around a lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth day, when the moon is brightest. In China, New Year preparations are similar to Christmas in America. Many people may take vacation from work or school to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.The Chinese buy presents, decorate with red paper decorations and cook large feast for the event. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will range from pigs, to ducks, to chicken and sticky rice cakes. The family will end the night with fire works. Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year. Parents and familiy members give the children money wrapped in red paper envelopes.Chinese New Year FoodsCertain foods hold symbolism to Chinese people."Lucky" foods are served through the two week Chinese New Year celebration. A whole chicken symbolizes family togetherness. Long noodles represent long life. It's actually considered bad luck to cut the noodles. Spring rolls and clams symbolize wealth. Spring rolls are shaped to look like gold bars. Lettuce wraps are served to remind the people of the hope of rising fortunes. Oranges, tangerines and pomelos are passed out freely as symbols of luck, wealth and abundance.Symbols of abundance,wealth, prosperity and family unity are very important to the Chinese. One of those symbols, fish, plays a large role in the festivities. The Chinese word for fish is "yu," and it sounds like the Chinese words for wish or abundance. So, it is not uncommon to see a whole fish being served at the end of the evening meal. A whole fish, with head and tail still attached, symbolizes a good beginning to a new year and the ending of the old. Finally, sweet sticky rice cakes are served for dessert to symbolize a rich sweet life. the layers on the rice cake also symbolize rising abundance in the new year, and the round shape of the rice cake celebrates family togetherness.Chinese New Year MenuHere's an easy way to enjoy Chinese New Year without speading hours in the kitchen. Pick up some of the Chinese food dishes from the local grocer/deli or local Chinese restaurant and combine with a few home cooked dishes and desserts

• Roasted Chicken (buy a roasted chicken from the local grocer or deli)
• Spring rolls, eggrolls, lo mein long noodles and sweet & sour sauce ( can be bought from a local Chinese restaurant).
• Lettuce Wraps are easy to make.
• Steamed fish and clams can be bought from the grocery seafood department (some stores will steam these for free).
• Set a fruit bowl out loaded with tangerines, oranges and grapefruits (similar to pomelos)
• Rice Cake or New Year's Cake is not so easy to make. Consider picking it up at a Chinese bakery, or make a family favorite instead. Chinese desserts are not as sweet as traditional American desserts.

February 14th CelebrationsBring together both Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day in a fun and creative way. Let children make paper decorations of hearts and laterns from red construction and tissue paper. Make homemade fortune cookies using store bought sugar cookie dough. Include funny and romantic fortunes of love, prosperity and wealth. Enjoy traditional Chinese dishes either homemade or take-out.Include a decadent traditional Valentine's Day treat like chocolate covered strawberries or a box of chocolates. Instead of Valentine cards, consider giving family, friends and children a few pennies wrapped in red paper packages. This doesn't happen very often, both holidays coinciding on the same day. Keep it easy and enjoy making it a fun day to remember.