Always looking for ways to teach our kids about other cultures, we are gearing up to Celebrate Lunar or Chinese New Year with the kids! We are no experts, but it is a great way for all of us to get to know a bit about the customs, traditions and festivities that go into the Chinese New Year. To begin setting the stage we give some basics on the event.
We know that this is THE most important celebration in the East. Millions go back to their hometowns to gather together with family and friends. Our Chinese friends tell us that Chinese New Year has been celebrated for thousands of years. It is marked with a lot of food sharing. In ancient times, the festivities were held to mark the end of winter, and welcome Spring. With Spring, everything comes back to life after cold months. This is why some people call Chinese New Year the Spring Festival.
Our New Year starts on January first. Chinese New Year begins with the first day of the first day of the lunar calendar. This day varies from year to year. February 19th,2015 will be the start of the Chinese New Year, but celebrations start on New Year’s Eve followed by a big party on new Year’s Day. Celebrations last for 15 days. On the last day it all ends with the luminaries festival. Everyone sends off a luminary with wishes for the year that is starting.
Each year corresponds to one of the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. We go by our day of birth to determine our sign while the Chinese Zodiac uses the year of our birth to tell someone’s sigh. This year is the year of the sheep.
The amount of traditions that are carried out are vast, and start well in advance from the 15 days of actual celebrations. Cleaning house and putting away knives is among the key things that happen before. During the celebration events you will find:
- people sharing big feasts
- everyone, specially children, looking forward to lucky red envelopes that hide money or trinkets
- fireworks are frequently displayed
- Mandarin trees are present in homes for good luck and are a traditional gift for hosts
- Red and gold are the colors of the season
- Lanterns and garlands decorate most places
It does sound like a lot of fun, and we are told that the noisier and the louder, the more fortune will come to you!
We are preparing crafts, food, DIY activities and red envelopes to get hands with this celebration and join in the millions who will be partaking of Chinese/ Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. We are even planing an outdoor movie viewing. Do join us as we will be sharing how we prepare and how we party! We will also be showing our #DisneySide at home with this celebration 🙂
By the way, the year of the Sheep affects us all, but it is the sign for those born in 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027.
Are you ready to explore Chines New Year with us? Are any of you sheep?
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Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
We are getting another foot of snow this weekend, so I am planning some Chinese New Year activities for the kids.
Lesley says
I’ve never celebrated Chinese New Year, sounds like something we could do in our homeschool group though to show cultures around the world. Kids need to be exposed to different things of the world.
aimee fauci says
I really want to learn more about the Chinese New Year. I love the festivities that come with and I think there is a local festival that is held each year.
Lois Alter Mark says
Those pictures are gorgeous! I love learning about different cultures and celebrations.
Donna Ward says
Very interesting – oh not a Sheep 🙂 I also love learning about new cultures and very fun to know that the day varies from year to year. That’s amazingly different from ours
Sarah Bailey says
Thank you for this post, I have to admit I don’t know as much as I wish I did about Chinese New Year 🙂 x
Gilda Campos says
Gracias por la explicación de esta tradición. La había escuchado pero desconocía mucho sobre ella.
Myrah - Coupon Mamacita says
I’ve never celebrated the Chinese New Year! Would be nice to do so!
Gingermommy says
No Sheep here 🙂 We always try to do something to celebrate as it is so much fun to explore other cultures and traditions
Akhil Sharma says
What a fun idea to celebrate Chinese new year. I googled about this lunar celebrations and got to know that it is all about love, peace, and to forgive all the grudges.
Terry says
Well you are the fun Mom!! What a great way to learn about different cultures. We are staying in this weekend. Really cold here and I just don’t want to go out.
Ana @ Miami Mommy Savings says
What a great way of celebrating other cultures, I might have to do this as well. Thank you for sharing!
OURFAMILYWORLD says
I would love to attend a Chinese New Year Celebration. I would love to see some fireworks.
Pam says
I love that it’s the year of the sheep coming up! When my daughter lived in St. Louis, there were a lot of festivities in the area for Chinese New Year!
Diana Rodriguez - Entre Compras y El Hogar says
Excelentes planes!
adriana martin says
what a wonderful article me encantaron todos los detalles y las fotos mucha información que desconocía besos!
Fernanda Chacon says
Thank you for sharing! I love learning new cultures 🙂
Maybelline @ Naturalmente Mamá says
This is really new to me but I love your plans especially the craft part! sounds like fun!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
I’ve never celebrated the Chinese New Year, but I do love the decor!
Teresa Garza says
Siempre es interesante conocer sobre otras culturas… Muy lindo tu post.
Melissa Vera says
Teaching about Chinese New Year was one of favorite lessons to teach when I taught music. I loved how the children responded to another culture.
Laura Rodriguez says
Me encanta el zodiaco chino, y todo lo que sea para estejar y alegrar a la familia. Muy lindo tu post.
celebbabylaundry says
What an amazing idea, thank you for sharing them all; I really like celebrating Chinese new years!
Hogar Mujer says
Me encantó aprender más sobre esta cultura, gracias!
Rosey says
You had me at ‘the louder the better.’ What fun it would be here to tell the kids to get noisy, they’d LOVE it! 🙂
Veronica says
The decorations are all so festive and beautiful! Happy celebrating
Angela S says
This sounds like a lot of fun. I have always loved the big dancing dragons.
Alejandra Ramirez says
That will be so fun and interesting! Would love to attend.
S.yissele says
Me encanta todo! Muchas gracias por la información!
¡FELIZ DÍA!ॐ
http://mamaholistica.com
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Sounds like great hands on activities and fun for kids to learn and have fun. It is coming right up!
Brittany says
Thanks for sharing – and how fun for your kids to learn about other cultures! Thanks for joining the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week 🙂
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
How fun! I plan to teach my 7 year old grandson about the Chinese New Year and you’ve given me tons of ideas and information. Thank you!
Crystal says
I have a sheep -2003. I have about half of the signs covered. LOL #manicmondays
Romina Tibytt says
Ohh we love the celebrations in China Town, NYC. Is a lot, lots of fun!
Bohemian Babushka (@BBabushka) says
BB’s a Tiger PLUS being CubanChinese, you can just imagine how loud it’ll be in my house on the 19th!! ; ) BB2U
Aisha Kristine Chong says
Celebrating with kids – family and loved ones is always a good experience and memories to have no matter what occassion but yeah – it is fun this CNY too!
Paula Bendfeldt Diaz says
Love all of the traditions behind the celebration of Chinese New Year!