The year of the Dog is around the corner. I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous CNY holidays! May this dog's year bring lots of happiness, good health and luck to your family. Gong Xi Fa Cai, Ban Soo Lu Ee!
Now before we usher in the New Year, a little slicking up is needed to be getting in order. Usually in conventional ways, Chinese will perform a spring-cleaning, prepare some cookies, do house decoration with lanterns and red displays, buy new clothes, stock up Mandarin oranges and soft drinks, and will do many other NY related activities such as giving out gifts and the preparation of "ang pow" ....
I reckon this as an obligation rather then convention for parents. Doing the CNY preparation job has other meanings beside traditional means. In fact, this is the best time to get together in perfect harmony for family members and by chance this is the happiest moment that you can find from the happy faces of your children. You are obliged to bond your families by creating the CNY mode in line with the preparation works. Actually, you don't need to have a conceptual thinking or a big deal to prepare for the CNY, just follow some conventional ways to suit your style and situation will do.
I've been doing these for over 30 years. Today I've savoured the fruit. Children have cooperatively come together and have done the CNY preparation works for me. That's why I always acclimate to the mode of CNY!