Happy New Year! xīn nián kuài lè (shin ne-en ku why lur)

Chinese New Year is the most auspicious of holidays and they know how to celebrate. You have never seen fireworks like this!  Some of the customs for celebrating the New Year include:

• First, clean the house to sweep out any bad luck.
• Windows and doors are decorated with red symbols for good fortune.
• Red envelopes (Hong Bau) with money are given to children by their parents and also as tips/bonus to employees and service folks.
• A whole fish must be served, but the last bit not eaten, which foretells that the family will have a prosperous year in which there is always food left over.