Gong Xi Fa Cai! Chinese New Year is fast approaching and across the globe people will be hosting annual family reunion dinners and celebrating the arrival of the Boar – or Pig to many of us – with fireworks and dances on Tuesday 5 Feb, New Years Eve. This Spring Festival will see shops and businesses slow down or close for seven days with festivities generally starting one day to prior to New Year and continuing until the Lantern Festival traditionally held on the 15th day.
It’s a special time to be in China or Asia and one of the many cultural festivals that my family and I celebrated for over a decade. In fact – my boys and I still celebrate CNY since our return to the UK – some may call us greedy for observing both Western and Eastern celebrations – but to us it is part of the calendar.
Preparations for the New Year start early with my red lanterns traditionally going up last on the eve of New Year. Before that the house is cleaned from top to bottom (ever wondered where the term Spring Clean comes from?!) and anything old/ unused is thrown away – dusting off the cobwebs to make way for new opportunities – think of it as Marie Kondi on overdrive. In Singapore I always placed a new welcome ‘Huat Ah’ prosperity mat at the front door and placed special feng shui amulets – like little charms – in various parts of the house 8 days before to protect the house based on whatever my monkey needed for the year ahead. Monkey? You kept a monkey? Is a question that you may be thinking and was once asked by a friend. Let me explain..
In the Chinese zodiac I am a Monkey – or to be really precise an Earth Monkey. In Western I am a Ram – both animals equally strong and michevious. Characteristics of my inner monkey are spot on – very independent, optimistic, versatile and not afraid to tackle issues head on. Broad minded, grounded and a dislike of arguements with a mischevious streak – I guess we are the liberal animals who like to get along with our fellows but can sometimes have the ‘fuck it let’s go do it’ attitude. Earth Monkeys need to be mindul of their diets, rest and exercise plenty if they are to keep well. Something I am finally learning the hard way having allowed my inner Monkey to do what it pleased the past few years! My boxing bag and gym trips now replace the monkey ‘bars’ of old haha!
My kids loved CNY as there was always a bountiful supply of sweets and candy on the Prosperity Tray on the dining room table and friends we visted. Funnily enough they never went near the abundance of mandarins. They also loved it for the Hong Bao – or red envelopes filled with cash and chocolates that are traditonally given to kids and young unmarried adults. Pity they not in Asia now. They could do with a few red packets lol!
This year I shall celebrate CNY at home and over the coming days will be wearing red in various forms. My cheongsam wearing days may be long gone but I can still nod to tradition with a touch of sexiness. Will I be sharing it in a pic – nope – Let’s just say my inner monkey may be more cheeky than normal!
Wishing you all good health, peace and prosperity for the year ahead!
Lanterns photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Michel Meynsbrughen
Prosecco Patty 
Gong Xi Fa Cai 🎉🇸🇬🐷🐖✨🥟 🐉
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