Surf's Up- Happy Chinese New Year

Hi there! I was waiting to do my usual Surf's Up for this special holiday. We love celebrating different customs and holidays in my house, especially if there is food involved, so I wanted to share some cool things to do, make, and eat to celebrate the Chinese New Year- the year of the Ox!!

Today my lil ones made some really cool felt and fabric fortune cookies made from this tutorial (these are sooooooo easy!!). The only part that the kids needed me to do was the sewing part.

Then we made some pretty paper lanterns to hang up in the playroom, you can get great directions here! (Kaboose is a great site for activities and other things for kids, reminds me of Wondertime!)



And our last activity before lunch was "reading" tea leaves with Chinese tea. Combine the imagination of a 4 year old and a bunch of soppy tea leaves and you have a good time for sure. (I was told that I will be taking Gabby to the toy store where AJ will make a mess and I will buy Gabby a dino!)
Here is some interesting information about Chinese customs regarding New Year's Day:
House Cleaning
The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.

Personal Appearance and Cleanliness
On New Year's Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.

And no Surf's Up would be complete without an Etsy creation!

I saw this lovely fortune cookie necklace and fell in love! The creator, Mynta, is offering free shipping fo it so someone please go get it before I do!!!