Gung Hay Fat Choy

First its british Christian festivals and now Chinese ones. Yesterday pancake day was observed for my Mother today it is Chinese New Year for my Father. 2005 Is the year of Yiyou, popularly known as the year of the Rooster. Chinese New Year starts on the second new moon after the winter solstice. It is often called the Spring festival. "Luck" is the word most often seen on new years decorations and cards. Chinese are very careful around new years to maximize their chances of getting luck

Meals served on the first day are generally vegetarian as serving meat of slaughtered animals is considered bad luck. The use of knives and scissors would mean cutting off good luck, just as the use of brooms would mean sweeping away the good luck.

I only saw my Chinese Grandmother once a year in the summer. She would save our angpows for us until we arrived. These little red packets of money are given to children and unmarried couples, increasing luck for both giver and recipient. It is known as lucky money.