CHINESE NEW YEAR~~

Its the start of a new year.. On the 14th February 2010, fellow chinese from across the globe were celebrating the first day of Chinese New Year following the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This year, 2010 is the Tiger Year. Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days where all of us Chinese celebrate this festive season.

The day before Chinese New Year, which was the New Year's eve, many chinese had a festive renunion dinner where all members of the family and close relatives gather together to reunite as to celebrate the opening ceremony for the Chinese New Year Celebration. Usually, there will be lots of food and everyone will sit together at the dinner table start this joyous occassion.

During this festive period, those who are married are entitled to give red packets, which contains MONEY, to those who are younger than them and those who are not married! So if you are still single, It is the time to compile red packets during this 15 days of celebration.

Depending on which parts of the world you come from, different people have different ways of celebrating Chinese New Year. For instance, from where I come from, we have open houses where other people, no matter if they are chinese or not, come to our houses and wish us a happy Chinese New Year! Not to mention, hosts are expected to give red packets to young children and those who are not married! =D

Not to forget, during this festive season, most of the chinese families gamble. These gambling games include card and tile games such as Blackjack, Rummy and Mahjong. Rummy and Mahjong are traditional chinese games that has been played since before.

Hopefully you would enjoy and join with us for this festive season.

Last but not least, I would like to wish everyone whose celebrating Chinese New Year a great Tiger year ahead and hope that everyone is in good health and that all your wishes and dreams may come true!

From

UEA International Ambassador Brunei.