The Chinese new year of the tiger falls on February 1st this year. This is an important Chinese holiday and we should be celebrating it if you want to learn about different cultures!
Cook dinner!
One way we can celebrate is by having a Chinese-themed dinner party. What would you serve? General Tso’s chicken is a popular dish in America, but it’s not actually Chinese! In China, they would probably serve something like Peking duck or shrimp with lobster sauce. My mom has a great list of 15 Fantastic Recipes To Celebrate Chinese New Year .
Chinese food focuses on a few different things and is a balance of flavors. There are different types of Chinese food, including dim sum and even chow mein! You can even choose to get Chinese takeout from an Asian restaurant that serves Chinese dumplings or even potstickers. It’s so much fun getting together with friends and family to chow down on some delicious Chinese food.
Why do Chinese people celebrate the Chinese new year?
The Chinese new year is a time to celebrate the beginning of a new year. It’s also a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the coming one. Families get together to eat food, give gifts, and watch traditional dragon dances.
How to decorate your house for Chinese New Year?
Red is a very important color in Chinese culture. It symbolizes good luck and joy, which are two great things to celebrate! You can use red lanterns or streamers for decorations, and you might even put some Chinese characters on the wall. Don’t forget to include lots of flowers too! Roses also fit perfectly with this theme.
What gifts you should buy if you’re hosting a themed party?
If you’re hosting a Chinese-themed dinner party then try to find some Chinese lanterns or dragons. They would look great hanging on your wall! You can also get Chinese fans that people can use for decoration, and they might even need them if it gets too hot with all the food cooking in the kitchen!
Learn More About China
Another way to celebrate is by learning more about the culture and history of this holiday. For example, did you know that people used to believe that tigers could give people good luck?
We have a printable lesson plan for you to not only learn more about the year of the Tiger but the Chinese New Year Celebrations in general. It has coloring, construction, vocabulary, and even an order of important events.
You can download it for free here:
Take a Trip
Another great way to learn more about the Chinese culture is travel – not by taking a trip to China, but by checking out Chinese communities like Chinatown in Chicago.
Chinatown, on the southwest side of Chicago, is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the city because it is everything one thinks of when you envision a Chinese community.
The old and new Chinatown districts collide in a beautiful way, giving you the best of both worlds. There are so many great spots to shop or eat right outside your door!
Start in Chinatown Square where kids can find out what they are signified by their zodiac stone or metal statue (depending). Then shop at either old stores around town that have trinkets from your trip while picking up some mementos too!
Finally, finish things off with dinner – there are dozens of restaurants along Wentworth Avenue perfect as ends-of-day snacks; we recommend stopping by one nearby bakery before bedtime.
It’s easy to celebrate the Chinese new year of the tiger. What are some ways you would like to celebrate this Chinese holiday in your school or community?
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