The Year of the Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year!  Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Today is officially the New Year when following the Chinese calendar.  This comes from a different way in calculating the seasons.  It is tradition to clean your house top to bottom to make way for good luck.  Pretty much like a good spring clean I guess.  It is also a time for family and close friends to gather and celebrate together.  Sweets are laid out, special food are prepared, presents are gifted and new clothing are worn.  The one thing that any children will remember is the receiving of 'Lai See' a Red Envelope with gifts of money given out by married couples.  So usually I would get them from my Mum, Aunties and Uncles.  Everything always look so pretty with all the decorations, the designs of the cards and red envelopes.

Look how cute the bunnies are on mine this year!

This is what a traditional sweetie platter would contain to offer to guests.

The White Rabbit sweets have always been a favourite of mine!

What is your Chinese Zodiac sign?

Rat	1900	1912	1924	1936	1948	1960	1972	1984	1996	2008	2020
Ox	1901	1913	1925	1937	1949	1961	1973	1985	1997	2009	2021
Tiger	1902	1914	1926	1938	1950	1962	1974	1986	1998	2010	2022
Rabbit	1903	1915	1927	1939	1951	1963	1975	1987	1999	2011	2023
Dragon	1904	1916	1928	1940	1952	1964	1976	1988	2000	2012	2024
Snake	1905	1917	1929	1941	1953	1965	1977	1989	2001	2013	2025
Horse	1906	1918	1930	1942	1954	1966	1978	1990	2002	2014	2026
Ram	1907	1919	1931	1943	1955	1967	1979	1991	2003	2015	2027
Monkey	1908	1920	1932	1944	1956	1968	1980	1992	2004	2016	2028
Rooster	1909	1921	1933	1945	1957	1969	1981	1993	2005	2017	2029
Dog	1910	1922	1934	1946	1958	1970	1982	1994	2006	2018	2030
Boar	1911	1923	1935	1947	1959	1971	1983	1995	2007	2019	2031

I hope you enjoy the celebrations where ever you may be.  If you fancy a little something to remember it by you could always pick up a special stamp or one of these cute totes with the word 'rabbit' on it! x