Gong Xi Fa Cai !!!
People greet one another with “gung hey fat choi” (Cantonese) or “gong xi fa cai” (Mandarin),” which literally means, “Wishing you a financially prosperous year.”
Get Swayed in the spirit of ..................
Shopping for Chinese New Year
With businesses closed at the start of the holiday and traffic out of control, shopping should be done as early as possible.
Here are a few items to remember:
- Food: Groceries for both the festival dinners as well as regular meals need to be purchased in anticipation of the holiday. Store shelves are ransacked the week prior to Chinese New Year. Read more about symbolic Chinese New Year food.
- Clothes: Chinese New Year is a time to look your best; new wardrobes are purchased for family gatherings, temple visits, and public celebrations. Red is the color of choice, as it was once considered to scare away evil spirits and to bring luck. White and black clothing should be avoided during Chinese New Year.
- Gifts: Small gifts and tokens of love are exchanged during Chinese New Year, so purchase candies, small cakes, trinkets, and candles. Children typically receive money or sweets placed inside of red envelopes. Alcohol, tea, fruit, flowers, and sweets make great Chinese New Year gifts for party hosts -- don't show up empty handed! If you choose to give fruit, give oranges and make sure that baskets do not include pears.
- Lanterns and Candles: Paper lanterns will be needed for the Lantern Festival on the 15th -- and final -- day of Chinese New Year.
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