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In China, on February 16, the year 4716 came, and the celebration of the New Year according to the Lunar calendar will not last a month, as was customary among the Chinese before, but only 15 days. The Year of the Yellow Earth Dog will last until February 4, 2019.

When is the Lunar New Year?

Second new moon after winter solstice will come on February 16, 2018 at 17:13 Kyiv time or at 23:13 Beijing time. This time will be considered the beginning of the New Year according to the Eastern calendar.

Where and how to meet Chinese New Year 2018

The Chinese New Year is a great occasion not only to please loved ones with gifts and pleasant surprises, but also to gather the whole family for a festive evening meal. And given that the mistress of the year - the Dog - teaches to honor traditions, to be the keeper of the family hearth, and the element of the Earth symbolizes abundance, fertility and rebirth, the best option for celebrating the New Year would be to stay at home.

On February 16, 2018, it is better to be exclusively in the circle of the closest people. The Chinese identify this day with the unity of all relatives and the reunion of the family. In order for the year to be successful, you need to observe this tradition. Then the yellow earthen Dog during the entire period of his reign will protect from troubles, granting happy moments.

Do not forget to once again tell your relatives that you love and appreciate them. In other words, the holiday should take place almost according to the classic scenario of the traditional New Year, only in miniature.

Story

Another name for the New Year according to the lunisolar Chinese calendar is Chunjie, which means the Spring Festival. The Chinese gave it this name after Western culture spread throughout Asia. Prior to this, the holiday was celebrated in ancient China for several thousand years. His the story goes from the rites of sacrifice and the cult of commemoration of ancestors. The first mention of the holiday is associated with the era of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BC). It has long been a tradition that the Chinese give money a red envelope with money to every child who enters the house.

Holiday mythology

The celebration of the Chinese New Year is associated with the myth of the terrible horned beast Nian. An ancient legend tells that whole year he lived in the sea. Only once Nian got out of there, ate all the cattle, food supplies and scared the villagers away. According to legend, the beast is afraid of the color red. In some versions of the legends, a child acts as a savior of local residents from a fierce monster, according to other versions, it was a wise old man.

All legends agree that only a plentiful table that can satiate an uninvited guest gives a guarantee of peace of mind from the beast, so the Chinese try to prepare the best treats during the celebration so that in an emergency there is enough for themselves and the Nanny. Another way to deal with an uninvited guest is to hang up red inscriptions with the wishes of happiness and the golden image of the character Fu, meaning “welfare”.

What date is Chinese New Year 2018

In 2018, China's Oriental Spring Festival will come late when winter ends. Its date is February 16, the second winter new moon after the solstice. In China, there will be two weeks of public holidays. Russians often combine two New Year holidays, and from December 31, congratulations and gifts will begin, which will often be the talisman of next year.

Symbol of Chinese New Year 2018

According to the Chinese horoscope, each year corresponds to a patron belonging to one of the four elements (fire, water, earth, air). The patron of 2018 is the earth dog. She will give her place fire rooster, who decorated 2018 with bright passions, who took the place of the Fire Monkey in his first lunar cycle. The dog will bring peace and tranquility to all areas of life from February 2018.

How is New Year celebrated in China?

Before New Year's Eve lunar calendar The Chinese celebrated for almost a month. Only the bustling regime of the country's business life was forced to shorten the time of the long-awaited celebration. Ancient traditions require members of large families to meet together with their parents at the festive table. It is believed that the dead ancestors celebrate the triumph together with the living. Hence there is another name for the holiday - "Meeting after parting."

What Not to Do on Chinese New Year

• In China, it is not customary to give gifts wrapped in paper or packaged in a blue and white box. These colors are considered a symbol of mourning.
• Also, the number “4” should not be present anywhere during the celebration of the New Year - it personifies death.
• It is unacceptable to present a present to the addressee in the presence of others. This process is very personal and should be done in private. In this case, the gift is transferred not with one, but with two hands.
• Any gift must be in the form of paired items. For example, if you give a figurine of the symbol of the year, there should be two of them.
• During the festive feast, it is not customary to talk about the past year. All thoughts and conversations should be directed to the future.
• When choosing an outfit for a holiday, in no case should you combine black and white. Neither together nor separately. Black is a symbol of failure, and white is the color of mourning.
• On the first three days of the Chinese New Year, the house cannot be cleaned. Good deities appear in all houses during the New Year, give happiness and good luck, which settle in the form of dust.
• After the onset of the Chinese New Year, you can not buy shoes, so as not to cause trouble. The fact is that the word “shoes” in Chinese is consonant with the Chinese “difficult”.
• In the first month after the onset of the Chinese New Year, you can’t cut your hair, otherwise failures will fall like an avalanche on your uncle from my mother’s side.
• In the early days of the New Year celebration, one should not use knives and other sharp objects, so as not to cut off one's happiness.
• Wash your hair in days new year holidays means to wash away luck.
• You can’t say the word “four” because in Chinese it has another meaning: “death.”
• It is also impossible to celebrate the New Year in bed, otherwise you will lie like this all year.
• Quarrel, sort things out, swear, shout and swear. Otherwise, wait for you good luck until next year.
• Borrow money. You have to give away all the money you borrowed.

How to Attract Good Luck on Chinese New Year 2018

On the festive table should be tangerines and oranges. The golden or orange color of these fruits symbolize happiness and wealth. And if they are with leaves, then this means long term relationship and the birth of children.

Be sure to make noise, launch fireworks, light sparklers, blow up firecrackers. Noise and uproar drives away evil spirits, which activate their forces before the new year.

For the year to be successful, there must be fresh flowers in the house.

It is necessary to distribute red envelopes with money to children. In this way, parents pass on good luck and wealth to the next generation.

Like attracts like, so the Chinese decorate their homes with symbols of good luck, health and happiness.

You need to open a window or door at midnight in order to old year could leave, and a new one could enter.

All decorations in the house should be paired so that you are not left alone. It is advisable to do everything from red paper.

Dishes for celebrating Chinese New Year

Of course, in many ways this is just a beautiful legend, but does the legend prevent us from once again mentally thanking the past year for all the good that it brought, and dreaming about what the next one will bring? Chinese New Year is family gatherings, gifts and surprises, laughter and smiles and, of course, delicious food, which is traditionally plentiful on this day, which is varied and interesting, beautiful and attractive. Let's think about what we can cook for the Chinese New Year, how we will surprise guests and relatives, what new culinary horizons we will open for ourselves this time.

Yu Sheng is not just a salad. This is a traditional Chinese dish that is prepared for the New Year: it is believed that those who tasted it during the festive feast will definitely be successful in the next 365 days, because the salad brings good luck and prosperity. Worth a try, even if you don't believe in omens.

In general, yu-shen is a kind of constructor that everyone puts together based on their own taste preferences. Some recipes suggest including up to 30 ingredients in this salad, each of which is responsible for “its own” bonuses: carrots bring good luck, fish - money, peanuts - gold, radish - health and youth. Let's get by with a reasonable minimum - and it will still be tasty and unusual.

Ingredients:

• 300 g fresh red fish (salmon, trout);
• 1 avocado;
• 1 cucumber;
• 2 sweet bell peppers;
• 1 carrot;
• 50 g pickled ginger;
• 1/3 cup roasted peanuts;
• 2-3 green onion feathers;
• juice of half a lemon;
• 3-4 st. l. olive oil;
• 2 tbsp. l. plum wine;
• 1 grapefruit;
• 1 st. l. sesame;
• salt, pepper to taste.

Each of the components is cut into small strips and stacked in slides on a large dish. We release the grapefruit from the films, sesame and peanuts are pre-fried in a dry frying pan.

Separately, prepare the sauce - mix oil, wine, lemon juice, add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle vegetables and other salad ingredients.
When serving, all participants in the feast take chopsticks in their hands and collectively mix the salad, while saying: “Lo hey!”, Which literally translates as a wish for good luck in the New Year.

Tip: don't be afraid to experiment, yu-shen is more of a serving idea than a strict recipe, so you can feel free to add whatever seems appropriate and appropriate to the dish.

Oriental cuisine pleases with spices, a competent combination of seasonings. Pork in sweet and sour sauce is in fact a rather simple dish that cannot be called festive, however, it is the accompanying bouquet of ginger, garlic, soy sauce and some other components that turns it into a small culinary masterpiece that is not ashamed to put on the table on the eve New Year.

Ingredients:

• 500 g pork fillet;
• 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
• 1 onion;
• 1 carrot;
• 2 sweet peppers;
• 1 chili pepper;
• a piece of ginger root (about 2 cm);
• 2-3 cloves of garlic;
• 2 tbsp. l. rice vinegar;
• 1/3 cup of water;
• 2 tbsp. l. starch;
• 3 art. l. Sahara.

We cut the pork fillet into square “petals” - up to 3 mm thick, about 2x2 cm in size. Mix with half the soy sauce, add finely chopped garlic. Let marinate for half an hour.

In the meantime, we are engaged in vegetables - cut the pepper into cubes (the size tends to be the size of the meat petals). Carrots - in circles (with a special craving for aesthetics, you can cut them into the same cubes as pepper-meat). Chili without seeds - the thinnest stripes. Ginger - narrow long sticks. Onions - free-form petals (better, of course, squares - if you are ready for waste, create beauty).

Prepare the sauce - mix the remaining soy sauce, add vinegar, sugar and starch, previously mixed with water.

In a wide frying pan (wok - ideal), heat the oil, quickly fry the onion over medium heat - it should not become soft and golden, you just need a little lightening and elimination of bitterness. Add carrots, wait a couple more minutes, then add sweet pepper and chili. At the end, add ginger.

We transfer the finished vegetables to a separate (temporary bowl), put the meat in the pan. Fry over medium heat until tender - due to the fact that you cut it thinly, a couple of minutes is enough. We return the vegetables, fry for another 3-5 minutes, then add the sauce (do not forget to stir it again beforehand), with constant stirring, fry until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, arrange on plates and serve.

Tip: To make meat easier to cut, you should first freeze it in the freezer.

marble eggs

Marble eggs are a traditional Chinese dish that is eaten on ordinary days and is always prepared for the New Year: they symbolize gold nuggets, so most people tend to decorate festive table this easy snack. It is prepared, by the way, very, very simply. It turns out original and beautiful.

Ingredients:

• 10 chicken eggs;
• 4 tbsp. l. soy sauce;
• 2 tbsp. l. good black tea;
• 2 star anise;
• 1 cinnamon stick;
• 3 cloves;
• 1 tsp fennel;
• 1/4 tsp dry hot pepper;
• 1 st. l. orange peel.

We put the eggs at room temperature in a saucepan, pour water - the liquid should cover them by 2 cm. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, boil for 3 minutes, after which we take out the eggs and place them in cold water, and put everything in the saucepan in which they were cooked spices.

Gently beat the eggshell with a spoon over the entire surface of the egg so as not to damage the air sac, which is usually located at the “base” of the egg. We try to make the cracks uniform and not very large.

Gently put the eggs back into the pan, bring to a boil again, reduce the heat and, covering with a lid, cook for another half hour. After that, turn off the gas and leave the eggs in the water for 5-10 hours.
We clean and serve.

Tip: if possible, replace black tea with pu-erh - it is he who is used in the authentic recipe and gives the finished eggs a special aroma and flavor.

Few people, of course, will bother making a fire and grilling meat in winter, however, if you are among those who are ready to go to any test for a delicious dinner in any weather and under any circumstances, urgently take the recipe into service: it is unrealistically delicious !

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken carcasses (weighing up to 600 g each);
• 1 st. l. Sahara;
• 2 cinnamon sticks;
• 3 star anise;
• 2 cloves;
• 1 st. l. fennel seeds;
• 1 st. l. cumin seeds;
• 1 small chili pepper;
• 1 bunch of green onions;
• 1 bunch of cilantro;
• a piece of ginger about 3 cm long;
• 2 liters of water;
• salt, black pepper to taste.

My chickens, dry, cut off the excess, set aside.

We roast the seeds and spices in a dry frying pan until the aroma of spices appears. Put in a saucepan, add water, salt and sugar. Cut the ginger into thin sticks, add to other spices. We also spread thin rings of chili pepper there, bring to a boil, turn off the heat and cool completely.

We spread the chickens in a cold marinade, add finely chopped green onions. Put in the refrigerator for at least 10 hours.

We kindle coals on the grill. As soon as they are ready, we take the chickens out of the marinade, carefully shake off all the spices, put them on a double grill, press them tightly and fry on the coals, turning over so that the meat does not burn. Readiness is checked by cutting the meat and looking at the juice: it should be completely transparent.

Serve immediately, generously sprinkled with green onions, cilantro, chili peppers.

Tip: try to time it so that by the time the chicken is ready, the guests are already sitting at the table and ready to eat as soon as you serve a delicious dish from the fire. Chilled chicken is fine too, but compared to its hot version, it's just a pathetic excuse for a holiday meal.

Pelmeni is a rather labor-intensive thing, and therefore it is usually prepared on holidays. However, this is good: just imagine that you can eat this dish every day - will it remain loved and desired? Of course no! However, if it suddenly happens that you still start to get bored with dumplings, try to cook their Chinese counterpart. It's interesting!
By the way, the word "jiaozi" means "something related to change, alternation, period." That is why the New Year oriental style is an obligatory occasion to cook Chinese dumplings.

Dough Ingredients:

• about 500 g flour;
• 1 glass of water;
• 1 tsp salt.

Filling Ingredients:

• 500 g pork tenderloin;
• 300 g of Beijing cabbage;
• 2 cloves of garlic;
• 1 bunch of parsley;
• a small piece of ginger root (about 1 cm);
• 50 ml soy sauce;
• salt, pepper to taste.

From water, salt and flour, knead an elastic, non-sticky, rather steep dough. Round, wrap in a bag, leave to rest.

In the meantime, we are working on the filling. Using a sharp knife, chop the meat - the smaller the pieces, the tastier the dumplings. Shred the cabbage, wring it out so that it becomes soft, spread it to the pork. We also rub ginger there, spread the chopped parsley, pour in soy sauce, add salt and pepper. Mix well.

We roll the dough into a tourniquet, cut into cubes. We round each block, roll it into a thin cake. We put the filling in the center, fasten the edges - you can do it in the Chinese style (forming beautiful consecutive folds), you can use a bag, you can do it as you like.

Jiaozi is cooked in three different ways, you can choose the one that you prefer: boil in a large amount of water, steam, fry in butter in a pan, and then, adding a little water there, bring it to readiness under the lid.

Tip: jiaozi is always served with sauces - based on sesame oil, wine vinegar, green onions, soy sauce. Experiment and compose, it will be delicious!

Rice noodles with shrimp

From the outside, Chinese cuisine seems quite picturesque and exotic, but in fact it is simple and fast: even on holidays, preference is given to recipes that can be implemented in a matter of minutes. Shrimp noodles are wonderful both because they are incredibly tasty and because they are prepared quickly and easily.

Ingredients:

• 200 g rice noodles;
• 200 g shrimp;
• 200 g of sea cocktail;
• 1 onion;
• 1 bell pepper;
• 1 carrot;
• 2 cloves of garlic;
• 1 cm ginger root;
• 2 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
• 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice;
• 1 bunch of parsley;
• soy sauce, salt, pepper to taste.

Pour defrosted shrimp and sea cocktail lemon juice, add soy sauce, leave to marinate for 30-60 minutes.

According to the instructions, we prepare rice noodles (depending on the manufacturer and thickness, you must either simply pour boiling water over it or boil it for 2-5 minutes).

In sesame oil over medium heat, fry the onion cut into half rings for a minute, then add the carrot straws, after a couple of minutes add the bell pepper straws. When the vegetables become soft, add seafood, fry everything together for about five minutes, squeeze the garlic at the end, add the grated ginger root and chopped herbs.

Stir, spread rice noodles, mix again, if desired, add soy sauce and serve.

Tip: Pineapples, celery, eggs, Chinese cabbage, green onions are added to this dish, depending on regional characteristics and personal preferences - if you wish, you can also enrich the standard shrimp noodle recipe with your own ideas.

Well, yes, this is not a dessert that can be prepared in advance - apples in caramel are being prepared now for now. If you are categorically opposed to new year's eve pay a little attention to cooking, make some kind of cake in advance or bake fortune cookies. If the soul does not resist the fact that during the holiday a little conjure in the kitchen, be sure to cook apples in caramel - they say you can even guess on them. However, it is better not to waste time and just enjoy - it is unusually tasty.

Ingredients:

• 2 large apples;
• 180 g of sugar;
• 2 tbsp. l. water;
• 1 egg;
• 5 st. l. flour;
• 1 st. l. sesame;
• 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil for batter + oil for frying.

Drying the sesame seeds.
Mix until completely homogeneous egg, water, 4 tbsp. l. flour. The batter will be watery, as it should be.

We clean the apples, cut into arbitrary pieces of relatively the same size. Roll in the remaining flour.

Heat up oil for frying. Dip each piece of apples into the dough and put in boiling oil (fire - less than medium). Fry on all sides, spread on disposable towels.

When all the apples are fried, make caramel. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan, then add sugar. On a fire, slightly less than medium, wait until the sugar begins to melt, then mix. As soon as the mass becomes completely homogeneous, remove from heat, quickly put all the apples into the pan, mix even faster - so all the pieces should be in a thin caramel crust. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. We shift to a plate, slightly greased with a thin layer of vegetable oil (do not neglect - they will stick!).

Tip: hot caramel apples are usually served with a bowl filled with ice water. Those who sit at the table tear off a piece of caramelized apple, quickly dip it into cold water and only then eat: this is how the liquid cools the delicious dessert, which is very easy to burn.

5 ideas for celebrating Chinese New Year

1. Nian, who every year is engaged in fighting evil animals (yes, just those that add up the horoscope), is afraid of the color red - which is why the Chinese decorate houses and streets with red lanterns. Would you like to follow their example? In serving, by the way, it is also important to observe the color scheme adopted for this holiday. Red and gold must be present in table textiles, napkins, candles. Don't neglect this moment.
2. The Chinese love omens - they often try to hide coins in food. The finder will soon be rich. We recommend not to forget to cook jiaozi dumplings with coins - even if a couple of rich people will definitely appear in your environment.
3. At that moment, when Time rolls the clock from the old year to the new one, it is customary for the Chinese to open windows and doors - to release all the troubles of the outgoing year without hindrance and give way to all the positive that the new one brings with it. Just in case, do not forget to follow the advice and let the negativity and problems go into the past.
4. In China, on this day they give surprises packed in red paper (remember that red scares Nian, right?), And, as a rule, they pack money, expensive delicacies and homemade cakes. Can you handle the last item as a gift?
5. There is a tradition according to which, on the seventh day of the New Year, people prepare a special drink consisting of various fruits and vegetables: this is said to guarantee a rich harvest and bring good luck. Modify the tradition - make a festive punch or brew homemade mulled wine: this, of course, is not a drink made from vegetables, but as an alternative - very, very nothing.

What to give for Chinese New Year

If you are going to celebrate the New Year with Chinese friends or just decide to make a holiday with the theme of the Middle Kingdom, consider the intricacies of giving gifts. A few tips:

It's best if gift box gold or red. These colors are considered symbols of good luck and wealth.
The Chinese are a very practical nation, in which it is believed that gifts must be beneficial. Feel free to donate household appliances, clothes, food in honor of the holiday.
Necklaces, belts, ties given to a Chinese friend or girlfriend can be understood as an allusion to the desire for intimacy.
Don't come to wish a Chinese family a Happy New Year if they had a funeral less than a month ago. According to legend, this portends many funerals in the near future.
When giving money, have the amount of money include the number 8. Eight is a Chinese lucky number.
Gift money must be new. Old banknotes are a sign of disrespect.
When giving and receiving a gift, it is better to use two hands - this will show respect for the process and traditions.

P According to the Chinese calendar, the New Year begins between January 21 and the end of February. It is believed that winter ends directly in this case, it gets warmer, and nature begins to awaken. For this reason, hopes for health, grace and prosperity have long been associated with the Spring Festival.

What to gift?

On the Chinese New Year, exterior items with oriental symbols are often presented - jewelry boxes, balls to calm the nerves. In addition, gifts with meaning are presented - Feng Shui candles, designed to significantly improve life; a cup of wealth; accounts that give success in business; bells to clean the room from bad energy; hourglass organizing thoughts.

It is important to think over the number of presents for absolutely all guests: they usually give either absolutely everyone, or not a single person.

Another idea for a present, borrowed from Chinese families, is an envelope with red money. Instead of real cash, it is possible to put a souvenir coin for good luck. Comrades and family members are also given classic sweets, tea, pies, seeds, fruits and flowers. There is also a custom to bring wine as a present. It should be wrapped in high-quality silk and tied with a ribbon with a tassel. On the Chinese New Year, warm items are usually presented that represent integrity and home harmony. An excellent present has every chance of being, for example, two vases, two mugs or two bottles of wine.

And in order to exclude unpleasant situations in which presents are sharply not enough, prepare Chinese nian-gao rice cookies. It is very appetizing and is considered an adorable treat for both children and adults, for this reason it can be an extremely cute present. A couple of tangerines is a mandatory present for the Chinese New Year. If you go to visit, be sure to take a couple of tangerines with you for each family member! The sound of the word "tangerine" is commensurate with the sound of the phrase "gold" in Chinese, for this reason, bringing tangerines as a present, you conditionally present gold. In return for your present, the owners of the house will also present you with a couple of tangerines.

Gifts for the elderly

Instead of alcohol and cigarettes, it is more correct for older people to make a gift in the form of a hat, gloves, stole or clothes.
If a person is closely acquainted with an elderly person, then you can donate a massage brush, massage foot bath or other thing.

In classical Chinese medicine, massage is a simple and productive method to maintain health for many years. A brush can be used to massage the head, and a foot bath can be used to improve circulation in the legs.

Gifts for children

A New Year's present for children is obliged to express wishes to grow up strong and quick-witted. During the Chinese New Year, bring treats with you: you can please the kids you meet.

If there are children in the family, do not forget to prepare a number of classic red envelopes. Both family members and children will be happy that you understand their traditions.

You can give the kids a nice gift by visiting with school supplies, for example, attractive pencils, notebooks or a set of brushes (in case the kids are creative).
Books that coincide with the interests of children, for example, a reference book or the works of a famous world classic, can also be recommended as a present: this will be your ideal contribution to his future.

Toys of the highest quality will be a great present for your friends' child. For example, a Barbie doll for a little girl or a remote-controlled car for a little boy. Chess or other similar games will be an excellent gift for a child.
If you are very close to a Chinese surname, then you can buy a set of children's clothes as a present: it will be very practical.

What doesn't need to be presented?

Any present - expensive or inexpensive, with or without meaning is always a pleasure. However, the Chinese approach the choice of a present very carefully and selectively. If you want to make a gift to a close friend from China, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the main taboos in order to exclude an uncomfortable situation and not spoil the solemn mood for both him and yourself. So, on Chinese New Year you should not give: gifts in the shape of an egg (the problem is that in Chinese the term “testicle” is used in many curses and for this reason is not a completely decent gift), weapons or imitation weapons watches ( the term "clock" (in Chinese "zhong") in Chinese is very similar in sound to the word "death"), snow-white or yellowish flowers, since these colors are the colors of mourning, the Chinese, as a rule, bring them to the cemetery. Remember these tips so you don't look ridiculous.

If you are invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year in China - in fact, this holiday is called the Spring Festival - your gifts should not be too expensive, fruits or good alcohol will be enough. Don't forget to put them in a pretty box or bag and remember that red and gold are considered lucky colors, while white and black are taboo for the holidays.

Gifts for friends

Choice new year gift mostly depends on the closeness of your friendship. Most often they give alcohol, tobacco products, flowers, tea, fruits. If you want something out of the ordinary, you have to think carefully.

Alcohol

If your friends are connoisseurs of good liquor, a bottle of quality liquor might be a great choice.

Tobacco products

If the owner smokes, find out what products he prefers. He will be delighted with the packaging of his favorite brand.

Most Chinese people love tea. Tea is always a beautiful gesture, whether your hosts are Chinese or not. A box of loose tea wrapped in wrapping paper is much better than tea bags.

Fruits

Fruit baskets are a common gift for the Chinese and can be found in many supermarkets. But some sellers in the markets at the bottom of ready-made baskets can “hide” spoiled fruits. Therefore, it is better to buy fresh fruits and wrap them in a gift box with a red ribbon. Giving a box of oranges or apples is also a good idea, as they symbolize wealth and security.

Household products

If your friends moved into a new house shortly before the holiday, household goods such as tea sets, electrical equipment or crockery will not be superfluous.

Gifts for the elderly

Instead of alcohol and tobacco, it is better for the elderly to choose a New Year's gift that will help them feel healthier and make their life more enjoyable.

Hat, gloves, scarf or clothing

If you are close to the family, you can prepare a hat, gloves, scarf or clothes as a gift for an elderly person.

Massage brush or massage foot bath

In traditional Chinese medicine, massage is light and effective method support the health of the body. A high quality brush can be used to massage the head, and a massage foot bath will improve the circulation in the feet, which will keep the elderly person warm in cold winter.

Gifts for children

A New Year's gift for a child should express your wishes to grow up healthy and smart.

Sweets

During the Chinese New Year, take some sweets with you so that you can please the children you meet.

Red envelopes for children

If there are children in the family, don't forget to prepare some traditional red envelopes (hongbao). Both the owners and the children will be glad that you know their traditions.

school supplies

you will make the children a pleasant surprise, visiting the Chinese with school supplies, for example, beautiful pens, school notebooks or a set of brushes for drawing (if children are fond of painting).

Books

Books that coincide with the interests of the child, such as an encyclopedia or the works of a great world classic, can also be recommended as a gift: this will be your best investment in his future.

Toys

High quality toys will become great gift for the children of your friends. For example, a Barbie doll for a little girl or a remote-controlled car for little boy. Chess or other similar games will a good present for a teenager.

Cloth

If you are very close with a Chinese family, you can buy a set of children's clothes as a gift: it will be very practical.

Things not to give for the New Year

There are some things that should never be gifts for your acquaintances from China during the Spring Festival. Do not give them, otherwise you risk a fight.

Things in black or white. Red is the color of luck in China, and black and white are often used at funerals, so gifts and wrapping paper in these colors should be avoided.

Necklace or chain. Do not give this to your friend / girlfriend. For the Chinese, necklaces, ties, and belts received as a gift can mean that you want a close relationship. Such presents are possible only for a boyfriend / girlfriend or spouse.

Green cap or hat. If a woman wears a green hat, it means that she is cheating on her husband. Therefore, green hats should be avoided.

Remember that you need to remove the price tag. A gift with a price tag is a hint to the recipient that the sender has spent a lot of money and is expecting a gift of the same value.

Don't give the gift in public, especially if you only want to congratulate one person in the group (to avoid embarrassment, dating rumors, etc.).

Do not visit a family on Chinese New Year who had a funeral less than a month before the holiday, as this is considered bad luck (there will be many funerals in the coming year).

When visiting, take a couple of gifts with you: the Chinese believe that good things should be paired.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, New Year is celebrated in the spring. It is called Chunjie, which means Spring Festival. By far, the New Year is the most important event for all the people of China, which is almost 1.5 billion people.

Traditionally, the Chinese New Year is between the 20th of January and February of the Gregorian calendar. The Chunjie Festival has ancient history, which goes back to ancient rites and commemoration of ancestors performed before our era.

IN Chinese New Year residents paste paired paper signs on both sides of the entrance to their house, and the interior is decorated with special new year pictures. Previously, such decorations and the launch of holiday crackers were considered a way to expel evil spirits and evil spirits. Since then, it has been a solemn ritual of the Chinese, which has been incredibly popular.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

On the night before the Chinese New Year, all family members should come together. A festive table is laid, performances by famous artists are shown on TV - preparations for the celebration are practically no different from the classic European New Year. Young Chinese stay up all night, spending their time playing games and table-talk. This time is called “Shou Sui”, which means “waiting for the New Year”.

The morning of the Chinese New Year begins with traditional jiaozi dumplings. Their shape resembles gold bars, which makes them symbols of wealth and prosperity. After such a breakfast, it is customary to visit friends, relatives and colleagues, and give gifts for chinese new year.

In China, in honor of this holiday, it is customary for children to give small coins wrapped in red paper. Such souvenirs are presented with the wishes of prosperity in the family and the successful development of the child. According to an ancient legend, this gift drives away the evil spirit from the baby and brings him happiness.

Of course, every Chinese New Year is accompanied by bright events and concert programs. Here you can see the dance of dragons, the dance of lions and even performances on stilts.

Corporate New Year Gifts in China

If your partner is in China, then you should take care of a corporate gift for the Chinese New Year. This will serve not only as a sign that you value the relationship with your partner, but also will be a unique chance to remind you of yourself. Ceremonies are highly valued in China, sometimes they are even more important than the souvenir itself. That is why the Chinese need to be careful when choosing a New Year's gift.

As in any other country in the world, in China there is a certain fashion for gifts, there are trends and preferences. More recently, the best corporate gift for Chinese New Year could be food, liquor or tobacco. However, today it is better for your partner to present a bouquet of fresh flowers, compiled by a florist, taking into account all the features colors or, for example, a lottery ticket.

Modern methods of congratulations will relieve you of the need for personal presence when presenting a New Year's gift to your Chinese business partner. The delivery service will cope with this just as well as you, and you can complement the chosen souvenir with a phone call or an e-card.

No New Year is complete without sweets. Exquisite fruit baskets, sweet chocolate gifts and gastronomic delights will not leave anyone indifferent on this festive day. Most importantly, do not forget to put your company logo on the packaging or on the souvenir itself. Individualization will make it incredibly profitable to highlight your corporate gift for chinese new year among the rest!

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How to give gifts correctly

Etiquette regulates not only the process of presenting gifts, but also expressing gratitude for congratulations and presents.

Every person loves gifts. Congratulations to clients, partners and managers, especially on such significant holidays as the New Year, are an important tradition of every company and part of the corporate culture.

Knife - as a business gift

According to business etiquette, it is necessary to periodically present gifts to your business partner. Therefore, on the eve of this or that significant date, many have to be tormented by doubts - what gift to present?

Examples of ethno gifts

Ethno gifts are special gifts that emphasize the individuality of different ethnic groups, related by origin or some cultural parameters...

Annunciation Oksana Golovacheva shared her observations after traveling around the Celestial Empire

Politeness Above All

The Chinese are exactly the opposite. At first, the Chinese should be slightly surprised and politely refuse the gift. Then, having a little hesitation, accept, appreciate the beauty of the packaging and put it aside, in order to later examine the gift in private. This is the etiquette, otherwise others will think that he is greedy. A Chinese proverb says: "A modest gift, but from the heart" - that's what matters!

We have a relative's birthday or a memorable date - an event where jokes and jokes are appropriate in wishes and gifts. For the Chinese, even a home celebration is an event according to a strict protocol. Traditions, hierarchy, etiquette, symbols came from the depths of the centuries of the Middle State and carry the dominant foundation.

There are gender restrictions. For example, a Chinese man should not be given a green headdress. This means that his wife is cheating on him. Why is that? It's simple: green caps are worn by military personnel who, as you know, leave home for a long time, leaving for service. Because now in Chinese stores you can’t find a green hat. His girlfriend cannot give a guy any figures of ducks (!) (if it suddenly occurred to her). Such a gift speaks of promiscuity in relationships, an imminent change of partner.

Relaxation is possible between loved ones. If the birthday boy agreed, for example, to knives made of noble alloys, he should give yuan in return, as if he had bought them from a donor.

Calculator - to money

But what is still possible? The calculator is considered a great gift. With a hint - they say, you can’t count your money. It is preferable to donate money for a wedding - at least 500 yuan from one donor. Money must be put in a red envelope. If there are hieroglyphs of double happiness on the envelope, this is also regarded as a wish for harmony in family relationships happiness and fulfillment of all desires.

An umbrella in China is considered not very a good gift is a sign of longing and loneliness

For a birthday and on the occasion of a long-awaited meeting, you can give alcohol - cognac, vodka, champagne, as well as good cigarettes or tobacco. Crystal products, vases are very popular.

It is important that the gift items be in multiples of two (except four, since in Chinese "four" sounds like "death"). For example, two bottles, two vases, six packs of cigars.

If you present a gift to one person from the team, you need to give everyone else, but to a lesser extent. On birthdays, it is customary to bring fruits, sweets, and drinks to a gift.

Gifts with meaning

If a Chinese gives you something that covers you, encircles you (necklace, ring, belt), this means that he wants to see you in his family circle, his wife, that is, he confesses his love to you.

Packaging is of the utmost importance and cannot be white or black. Red, yellow, gold, pink - colors that promise to bring power, wealth, understanding along with a gift.

What presents do the Chinese expect from us, Russians? Now in Heihe it is considered good tone drink milk, so a couple of boxes of milk will do as a surprise, you can also bring condensed milk. The older generation will accept such a gift as health care. The main thing is to arrange it correctly. For example, you can pack two liter boxes (bags - indecent) in pink paper.

Meeting the New Year with friends from China can be remembered for a long time. However, the culture of this country has its own characteristics and it should be remembered that some gifts may be perceived incorrectly. To avoid mistakes when choosing them, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list below.

sharp objects

To give someone a sharp object means to hint that you want to break ("cut off") the relationship with this person. According to the Chinese proverb, "one sharp blow - two parts", which means the end of the relationship between people.

Number 4

In China, the number 4 (四 sì) sounds similar to the word for death (死 sǐ). Therefore, everything connected with this figure is considered to bring bad luck. Do not give sets of four items. The Chinese do not like this figure so much that in some buildings, for example, in hotels, there is no fourth floor. Often on the door of the rooms of hotels located on this floor, 8 is written in front of the four.

Shoes

Giving shoes to Chinese people on New Year's is a bad idea, because the word for shoes (鞋 xié) sounds exactly like "evil" (邪 xié) in Chinese. In addition, shoes are what we walk in. Like a gift it's not the best option. It is better to choose something else.

The Chinese usually give handkerchiefs at the end of the funeral, which symbolizes goodbye forever. Handing such a present to your friend, you seem to be hinting that you want to part with him, break the connection forever.

In Chinese, "giving a watch" (送钟 sòng zhōng) sounds the same as "attending a funeral" (送终 sòng zhōng), and is therefore considered a bad luck gift. In addition, the clock often symbolizes the lack of time. This is especially emphasized if the person to whom you plan to give a gift is older than you. Both wrist and wall clocks should not be given to friends from China.

Giving fruits is a good idea, but pears are an exception. The Chinese word for "pears" (梨 lí) sounds the same as "leaving" or "breaking" (离 lí).

cut flowers

It is customary to give cut flowers for funerals, but not for the New Year! This is especially true for yellow chrysanthemums and any white flowers that symbolize death. In Chinese culture, white is considered to bring bad luck (funeral), so white flowers should not be chosen for the New Year.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas - also not best idea, since the word for "umbrella" (伞 sǎn) in Chinese is consonant with the word for "parting" (散 sàn). Such a gift may mean that you want to stop communicating with this person.