This post brought to you in partnership with Best Buy.
The upcoming Lunar New Year isn’t one that we ever celebrated as I was growing up, but after my sister lived in China for years it’s one that we learned to appreciate. Of course, any holiday celebrations that are different from the typical American ones are interesting to me. I love to see how other cultures celebrate life. For Asians all around the world, including Asian-Americans, Lunar New Year not only celebrates the beginning of the year but also the ending of winter and the anticipated arrival of spring. It is one of the most important holidays celebrated in Asian countries. Plus, any celebration that celebrates the end of winter is a huge win in my book and definitely a holiday I want to support.
Lunar New Year, which is based on the phases of the moon, falls on February 8th, 2016 this year and Best Buy is helping celebrate the event with an Asian-inspired Giftcard and eGiftcard, available for purchase or gifting from BestBuy.com through February 13th, 2016.
5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH KIDS
- Make Chinese dumplings. A traditional Asian dumpling. Check out this step by step dumpling making guide.
- Originally, a small red envelope with money tucked inside was given to children to symbolize good luck and ward off bad spirits. Today, the good luck red envelope is shared with adults and children alike. Best Buy is offering a two in one option with a red gift card (red & money). To have a giftcard shipped to your address, follow this link or for an eGiftcard, scroll to the right of the following link until you see the red giftcard with the two Koi fish (under the “Holiday” tab).
- Read the Lunar New Year story about the Chinese Zodiac and learn how animals were chosen to be celebrated each year. This ties in the animal with the year. 2016 is the year of the Monkey.
- On the first day of the New Year wear something red that is new or put up new red decorations (ie: red lanterns) for good luck and prosperity for the rest of the year.
- The morning of Lunar New Year light firecrackers. Traditionally, firecrackers are set off at midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve to scare away the bad spirits. However, since the littles will be sleeping. Set off firecrackers in the morning.
For the gift throughout the year, check out Best Buy’s Chinese Happy Birthday e-Gift Card under the “Birthday” tab.
Chinese dumplings are so good. I have never made them before, but I like your idea 🙂
The Lunar New Year is so much fun. I love that Best Buy has release gift cards that match the season. They look great.
These are great tips. I try to celebrate all sorts of cultural holidays. It’s fun, and it helps the kids learn about other cultures.
Great ideas! I’ve learned so much about the Lunar New Year in the last week, it’s crazy! I’m going to light some fireworks and see what my husband says!
We love celebrating Chinese New Year. I used to live in San Francisco where they would hold a parade with the Dragon Dance and it was so fun.
What a great idea. I absolutely LOVE dumplings. I’ve never made them myself. checking out the recipe you linked to now.
I love Chinese dumplings. Never made them before.
What fun ideas! We’ve never celebrated the lunar new year, but it would be fun to start!
My kids celebrate the new year at their school with big celebrations. It’s so fun to see the dragon dances, but the red envelopes are nice too!
What great tips! My kids celebrate all the different holidays at school but I think it would be fun to do at home too!
Thats cool that Best Buys is teaching children another culture. I never celebrated it before but its cool to be aware of it!
I would love to make dumplings, I will have to try them. Also, those floating lanterns would be a good idea.
I’d like to try Chinese dumplings. That would be a fun thing to do with the kids.
I love infusing culture in my children’s lives. These are great ideas for the Lunar New Year
Great tips. I try to celebrate all sorts of cultural holidays! We’ve never celebrated the lunar new year! Sounds like fun!
How fun! These are great tips and now I have another reason to eat chinese dumplings!