Chinese New Year 2008

WOW!!! Time really flies & it's already 2 weeks into 2008.

2007 has come & gone in the blink of an eye. It's time now to get started with Chinese New Year preparations which falls on February 7th & 8th this year. Also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, the festival normally starts on the first day of the first lunar month and ends on the 15th day.

Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese. The Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by visits to kin, relatives and friends, a practice known as "new-year visits". New clothings are usually worn to signify a new year. The colour red is liberally used in all decorations. Red packets or hong bao are given to juniors and children by the married and elders.

The red packets always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundred. The amount of money in the red packets should be of even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with cash given during funerals. Since the number 4 is considered bad luck, because the word for four is a homophone for death, money in the red envelopes never adds up to $4. However, the number 8 is considered lucky (for its homophone for "wealth"), and $8 is commonly found in the red envelopes. Sometimes chocolate coins are found in the red packets.

Chinese New Year decorations have started sprouting up in shopping centres and around town. Some popular floral decorations include:

Floral Decor Meaning
Plum blossom symbolizes luck
Kumquat symbolizes prosperity
Narcissus symbolizes prosperity
Chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity
Bamboo A plant used for any time of year
Sunflower means to have a good year

Many shops have begun selling New Year products. Normally open-air markets are set up especially for vendors to sell New Year-related products. These shops feature floral products, toys, clothings, gifts for new year visitations as well as decor for the homes. Many also shop for the perfect plum tree as decoration just like how Chistmas trees are much sought after for Chirtmas.

It is important to have the house completely clean from top to bottom before New Year's Day for good luck in the coming year. Thus the weeks leading up to the actual day will see many people doing spring cleaning, throwing out the old and at the same time, buying new things to usher in the New Year.

Of course, Chinese New Year will not be the same without the various festive goodies that are offered to those who go on "new year visits". Home Kitchen Creations have come up with a few popular, top-selling festive goodies to allow everyone to celebrate in style.

HOME KITCHEN CREATIONS

+65 90276873

Item Unit Price

Kuih Bangkit $13

Love Letters $15

Mocha Squares $8

Prawn Rolls $10

Chocolate Rocher ~ (S) $10

~ (L) $18

Pineapple Tarts ~ (S) $12

~ (L) $22

Kuih Lapis

~ Chocolate $24

~ Coffee $24

~ Original $22

~ Pandan $24

~ Prune $30

Free delivery for purchases above $60 to one location on mainland Singapore

Wishing each & everyone a Happy & Prosperous Lunar New Year