Celebrating the Year of the Snake

Chinese New Year Dinner at the Mandarin Buffet Restaurant

The Lunar New Year! A time for families to get together and millions around the world to celebrate this weekend! Our family is no exception as we all got together and celebrated the Lunar New Year with all the members of the extended families as well.

New Year - A Time for Family Get Together

Mom treated everyone to the Lnuar New Year dinner at the Mandarin Restaurant on Steeles and Woodbine Ave. in Richmond Hill. We all decided on the Mandarin as our families are multicultural with different races and diverse eaters such as vegetarians and vegans. We wanted everyone's dietary needs be accommodated.  With its buffet style and wide variety of food choices, why not?

We were told that there would be two seatings. One at 5:30pm and the other at 8:00pm. We chose the 5:30pm seating since there were a few little ones attending. Though expensive, the restaurant was busy! Many families were there for their Chinese New Year Eve dinner too.

 This yearly family reunion dinner is an important Chinese tradition. It was reported on BBC news that China has the largest migration in the past week as 200 million Chinese were trying to get back home for the family New Year Eve dinner.

Married Relatives Getting Ready to Give Out the Red Pockets

There are many interesting Chinese New Year traditions such as cleaning one's house really well before the New Year, buying and wearing new clothes on the day, decorating the house with flowers and seasonal writings and every kid's favorite - the giving of the Red Pocket to children and the unmarried people.

On Christmas Day in North America, families receive and open presents whereas on Chinese New Year's Day, Chinese kids and unmarried people will receive Red Pocket from their parents and married relatives.

Receiving the Red Pockets from Married Relatives

Red Pockets are envelopes with money in them. According to tradition, only married people can give them out. The contents of these red pockets could be from 25 cents to $10, $20 or any amount, depending on the giver's generosity and his/her affordability. It is important that the receiver does not open the red pocket in front of the giver as not to embarrass the giver if the amount is small.)

In our family, we don't let the people receive the red pocket without making an effort for it. Each receiver needs to go up to wish the giving relative with a new year greeting in Chinese!

Sally\s First Red Pocket!

It could be a challenging task if one does not know the language. Each kid and adult knows to practice a few sayings before heading to the New Year Dinner.

Kids are usually all dressed up in red or in their new year clothes for the Chinese New Year Dinner and are excited and look forward to receiving these red pockets!

Look at all the Red Pockets I got!

Look at my grandniece's take from just one dinner!

As for me,I always love family dinners. I am also glad that I have a second chance to make my New Year resolutions!

I might have broken the resolutions made on January 1, but each year, I can have another opportunity to make them again during the Lunar New Year. I just pray that I would be able to keep them and achieve my goals!

R.T. Toronto