Year of the Ox

Some people consider Christmas, Halloween or gasp, Valentine's Day as their favorite holiday. Mine is the Lunar New Year (aka Tet/Chinese New Year).

I haven't been able to pinpoint why this is my favorite holiday but I think it's because it's the only one that I celebrate that's rooted in tradition. There isn't a tradition of decorating the Christmas tree or sitting around the table expressing what we're thankful for around our home. Instead, we start planning the celebration of the Lunar New Year just around Christmas time.

There is no need to wrap any gifts but it's important to start wrapping the lai see which is a red envelope that contains lucky money. It is customary to give the lai see to children or anyone younger than you however I like giving so I tend to give my lai see to everyone. I also make sure that the money is brand new since that just makes it even luckier :)

•fresh money and lucky envelope•

•ready to bring luck to the year of the ox•

We usually head over to my aunt's house since she is one who loves hostessing parties. She always does an amazing job of decorating the home. I think that tradition is that there must be 100 things in the house red. I don't think that they stick to it but sure try.

•the vietnamese altar•

•cherry blossom money tree•

There are also games that take us into long into the night and I have no clue what to call the first one. It's more of a children's game, we play this first and then lead into Vietnamese Blackjack. It's a silly game of placing coins on each object. If that object is rolled with the dice, than you win. It's basic and silly but mainly, just fun to play with the kids. The "elders" tend to like their Blackjack much better.

•cua/boai/tom•

•time to play•

•marijn getting involved and counting my coins. he's become a fan•

•time for the adults to play vietnamese blackjack•

Anyway, I hope that everyone has a wonderful year and really get to celebrate in this Year of the Ox (which President Obama happens to be! Year of Change it is!).

I'm looking forward to what is coming this way. It's going to rock. Like an Ox! ;)