Traveling to China is interesting, adventurous, fun (especially depending on who you are with) and exotic. Lara and I have traveled to China together a few times now. Over the years we both have been to China so many times we can’t count the number of trips on 2 or maybe even 4 hands now. There was a point I was traveling 2-3 times per year. To think when I was a kid, I wanted to travel to China at least once in my life and adopt a baby from there. Well, I have been there a ton, but never adopted.
Three years ago, because this year would’ve been my 3rd annual, I decided instead of throwing a Christmas party, I would throw a Chinese New Year party. There are always so many holiday gatherings in December I thought, why add one more. It was perfect, because Chinese New Year always fell at the end of January or in February, just when we in the Northeast were sick of being stuck inside because of the cold weather. It was after all the parties of the holidays and it seemed to fit into that winter doldrum lull perfectly.
The Lunar New Year is the beginning of the calendar year whose months are coordinated to the cycles of the Moon. During the Chinese New Year holiday it is the largest human migration of people back to their hometowns to visit relatives. Red envelopes (or pockets) are usually gifted as a blessing especially to the younger generation.
Inevitably, I was always traveling usually to India in and around the same time as CNY. I would be going or coming just before my party. The first year was rough because I had never cooked Chinese food from scratch. Of course I would do take out, but I figured, challenge yourself and make it. WOMENT UP!
So that’s what I did. I cooked everything except the Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls, those I purchased from the Asian Market near Albany, NY. I was proud of myself and everyone seemed to enjoy. My sweet friends in China made it more special by sending me decorations for my house. I hung lanterns and it was the Year of the Pig (anyone born in 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 this is your year), so they sent décor specific to the year.
The second year I was away just before, arriving home on Monday or Tuesday and my party was that Saturday night. It was the Year of the Rat (anyone born 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020). One of my friends is a professional chef, he stepped in to help me, grateful for him. Cooking all this food for 17 people by yourself is a bit daunting, especially food you are not used to making all the time.
I’m sad to say this year, the Year of the Ox which starts on February 12th, (if you were born in 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 this one’s for you and apparently a good year for you in LOVE and WEALTH), which would’ve been the 3rd annual, has to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Each zodiac sign has traits, the Ox is Diligent, gentle, hardworking, reliable, patient, materialistic, stubborn. Sound familiar? Know anyone.
I did do something special for my regular attendees, I’m not going to spoil it for them. Next year we party again and I’m declaring it the 4th annual.
5 facts about the Chinese New Year Holiday
1). The dates for Chinese New Year fluctuate from year to year. It all depends on the moon cycles. Typically it falls anywhere from January 21 – February 20th
2). It’s the largest human migration in the world.
3). Red, Red, Red people will decorate in their houses in the color Red and even buy new red clothes. I remember my friends from China told me that for my year, the year of the Dog to wear a red piece of clothing everyday (see point #4). TMI, I got red underwear (more than 1 pair LOL) and wore it for everyday of that year.
4). One would think their year is their lucky year….no so, it’s actually your unluckiest year. Hence the red underwear to keep the evil spirits away.
5). Chines New Year is also referred to as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It begins a fresh start.
Happy New Year: 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè)
