Cleaning Before the New Year: Cleaning the house before Chinese New Year is symbolic of sweeping away bad luck from the previous year and making space for good fortune.
Giving Oranges and Tangerines: The exchange of oranges and tangerines is a tradition that symbolizes wealth and luck. Oranges are given with leaves for longevity, and the act of giving and receiving these fruits is more about the significance than the actual exchange.
Li See (Lucky Money): Li see, or red envelopes filled with money, are given as a symbol of prosperity and good luck. Children typically receive them until they marry, after which they take on the role of giving them to younger, unmarried relatives.
Traditional Foods for Good Luck: The Chinese New Year banquet features foods believed to bring good fortune, such as whole fish (representing abundance), long noodles (for long life), and sweet red bean soup (for sweetness in life).
Teaching Kids About Cultural Traditions: As children grow older, continuing to celebrate and explain traditions like Chinese New Year helps them understand and maintain cultural heritage.
Resources to Learn More: There are many books and resources available to learn more about Chinese New Year, such as picture books for younger readers and graphic novels that explore the Asian American experience.
Family Involvement and Celebrating Together: Participating in the celebration with family, whether through meal preparation, greeting each other with “gong hay fat choy,” or giving and receiving red envelopes.