Did you know that Lunar New Year, celebrated by China and all of Asia is almost upon us? In this post we’ll be focusing on Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration, what it is, and ways you can participate, or learn about it as a family.
What time of year is it?
The Chinese Lunar New Year! Also known as the Spring Festival or Chunyun, it is a traditional Chinese festival that marks the beginning of the lunar new year. It’s the most important and widely celebrated festival in China, as well as in many other East Asian countries. And Swell Swap Books is celebrating too, online!
The origins of the Chinese Lunar New Year date back thousands of years, with its roots deeply intertwined with ancient Chinese agricultural practices. The festival’s timing is determined by the lunar calendar, making it usually fall between January 21 and February 20.
In 2024 the Lunar New Year falls on February 10th!
The Chinese New Year is a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. It symbolizes the end of winter and the arrival of spring, representing a cycle of renewal and rebirth. Families and communities gather to celebrate the passing of time, express gratitude for the past, and embrace hopes for a prosperous future.
This year Swell Swap Books wanted to show a little appreciation for this festive event! Below is a list of ways you can celebrate the Lunar New Year at home and some recipes inspired by the celebrations to try yourself! And if you’re interested, sign up for our newsletter below to get a list of Lunar New Year inspired picture books for kids in your life.
If you’re interested in taking part and celebrating the Chinese New Year, here’s a couple ways to participate in the festivities…
- Learn About The Festival
Take some time to learn about the celebrations and traditions surrounding the Chinese Lunar New Year. Research the meaning behind red envelopes, decorations and family gatherings to deepen your understanding of this holiday! Learning and education are two core values at Swell Swap Books, and taking the time to explore these traditions is a chance to do both!
Did you know? The Lunar New Year fireworks aren’t just for show!
From Texas Wesleyan University: “The story of Nian isn’t just about wearing red to scare the monster away. Traditional Chinese culture also used fireworks to frighten the evil spirits. In China, fireworks will go off at different times depending on the region, but the most common times include when the reunion dinner is ready, at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day, again in the morning of the new year and the last day of celebration.” Read more here.
- Attend Local Celebrations
Many cities and communities host Lunar New Year celebrations with parades, performances, and cultural events. Attend these festivities to experience the vibrant atmosphere, enjoy traditional dances and music, and try the diverse cuisines. If there aren’t any local activities, there are still ways to celebrate at home.
- Clean Your House!
One tradition of the Chinese Lunar Year celebrations is cleaning your house. Sweeping your floors, cleaning your kitchen, airing out your house and preparing for a fresh start for the New Year. Take a moment for personal reflection. Consider setting positive intentions for the upcoming year, aligning with the themes of renewal and new beginnings that the Lunar New Year represents. What’s one new thing you can try this year?
Sign up to our email newsletter read the rest of the article, including a list of delicious traditional recipes and a reading list of children’s books celebrating the Lunar New Year!
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Thank you for subscribing to the Swell Swap Books newsletter! Enjoy the rest of the Chinese Lunar New Year article down below, including some delish traditional recipes to try as well as a reading list of illustrated children’s books based on this festive celebration!
- Try Making Some Traditional Food
Like most culturally significant dates and events, food is a huge part of the festivities. Many people celebrate New Years by enjoying communal meals such as hot pot, along with side dishes and deserts.
Here are a couple recipes to get you started:
- This is a delish step by step guide on how to make your very own hot pot/steamboat to share! This article offers a detailed recipe and instructions for making Szechuan Hot Pot, a flavorful and communal dish perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year Eve. The hot pot is known for its spicy and aromatic broth, featuring ingredients that symbolize luck and prosperity. Read here: https://whattocooktoday.com/szechuan-hot-pot-for-chinese-new-year-eve.html
- This dumpling recipe is not only a guide to creating delicious dumplings but also a way to partake in a beloved Chinese Lunar New Year tradition. Making and sharing dumplings during this festive time fosters a sense of family, tradition, and good fortune, making it a perfect addition to the New Year celebrations. Read here: https://thewoksoflife.com/dumpling-recipe-youll-ever-need/
- This recipe provides a simple and flavorful guide to preparing Steamed Fish with Ginger, a dish with cultural significance for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. Read here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/140570/steamed-fish-with-ginger/
- Family Gathering!
A huge part of Lunar New Year celebrations is spending time with family and eating together! If possible, invite your family and friends over for a Lunar New Years dinner. Try your hand at one or two recipes from this article, or order food from a Chinese owned restaurant to celebrate. We love holidays that bring people together, and Lunar New Year is no different. Invite the people in your life to celebrate a new holiday in the year of the Dragon!
By celebrating and learning about the Chinese Lunar New Year, you can create new memories and learn about new cultures at the same time. What is your favorite holiday to celebrate?
Here is a list of books to read to your kids about Chinese Lunar New Year
Ruby’s Chinese New Year
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rubys-Chinese-New-Year-Vickie/dp/1250133386/
Summary:
In this picture book by Vickie Lee celebrating Chinese New Year, animals from the Chinese zodiac help a little girl deliver a gift to her grandmother.
Ruby has a special card to give to her grandmother for Chinese New Year. But who will help her get to grandmother’s house to deliver it? Will it be clever Rat, strong Ox, or cautious Rabbit? Ruby meets each of the twelve zodiac animals on her journey. This picture book includes back matter with a focus on the animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Celebrating Chinese New Year: History, Traditions, and Activities
Summary:
Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world. This engaging book for kids explains the history, folklore, traditions, and customs of Chinese New Year and includes interactive activities that encourage kids to celebrate at home or in their communities.
This Chinese New Year kids’ book includes:
Diverse traditions—From festivals and parades to relaxation and cooking, kids will learn how Chinese New Year is celebrated in different ways.
Fun, hands-on activities—Kids can explore a variety of ways to get festive, like making Chinese dumplings, paper lanterns, and their very own Chinese Zodiac calendar.
Fascinating facts and pictures—Colorful illustrations and fascinating factoids help bring Chinese New Year to life for your child.
Happy Chinese New Year!: A Festive Counting Story
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593562976?tag=randohouseinc27162-20
Summary:
This visually stunning board book has red and gold foil on the cover and is the perfect way to introduce little ones to Chinese New Year and its traditions.
The simple text and vibrant illustrations in this book make it easy for little ones to follow along as the animals’ preparations lead up to a tasty feast followed by a party with music and dancing!
The pages also feature the Chinese characters that correspond to each number highlighted on the page. Children will learn to recognize the characters as they read the book again and again, and the pronunciation guide will help them say the words out loud.
Bringing In the New Year
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385753659?tag=randohouseinc27162-20
Summary:
In a brightly colored board book, perfect for the youngest child, Newbery Honoree Grace Lin tells the tale of a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each family member lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to celebrate. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade at the end!
Lin’s bold and gloriously patterned artwork makes for an unforgettable holiday tale. Her story is simple and tailor-made for reading aloud to young children, and she includes an informative author’s note for parents, teachers and children who want to learn even more.
The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525420681?tag=randohouseinc27162-20
Summary:
When a boy goes to the market to buy food and comes home with an old wok instead, his parents wonder what they’ll eat for dinner. But then the wok rolls out of the poor family’s house with a skippity-hoppity-ho! and returns from the rich man’s home with a feast in tow!
With spirited text and lively illustrations, this story reminds readers about the importance of generosity.