What do I take to a Chinese New Year party?

[franch]

Mercy suggested I should post this query here.

I suggest to wear something new (YAY time for a shopping trip ...) and red (for luck!) - that's the tradition. Foodwise, usually it is lucky to eat noodles at the meal (symbol of long life) so that's always an option. Roast duck or roast pork always good. If the hosts have kids and they are related to you then usually you give the kids a red packet with money inside (usually a note and a coin). My family has never been terribly traditional so that's all I can suggest. Hope that helps?

Franch - sorry just read your original message. Sounds like the red packet thing for their son would be suitable (even if you're not related - is nice gesture). You can buy the red packets/envelopes from Chinatown. Maybe you can also bring get a Chinese New Year card and wine for the parents. Another tip - 8 is a lucky number for the chinese and I think 6 is as well but 4 is unlucky. Some traditional Chinese people take this into account when deciding how much money to put into the red packet etc. Gee, I know more than I thought! My parents obviously drummed some culture into me!

Fabulous, HB - thanks so much

You're very welcome. Best of luck with it all!

Is the lunch at your host's home or in a restaurant? You could take a little basket of mandarins. Mandarins, I think signify wealth for the coming year or something like that.

The little red envelope of money for the little boy is a good idea - if the child is very young, a token of several pounds (avoiding 4!) would be enough. However if gathering is at your host's home and there will be other kids there, they might expect same!

It's traditional that all kids (and singletons) get these red packets from anyone who's married.

At our friends' home, Rojak. No idea how many other kids will be there ...

my mum said that you should normally give everyone two packets, hence if you put a fiver in one, the other packet should also have a fiver! It can be an expensive time for us!!!

Mate! I never heard about that one! I feel like I've been cheated all these years !!!!

The way we work it is two packets for family and close friends and one packet for friends of friends or any others that might be at party / celebration.

Yes, an expensive time but it's great when you're a kid!

I guess every family has its own traditions. Mine is to give two packets, supposedly one from you and one from your spouse. Don't know anything particular about amount but I do know that both packets can have differing amounts e.g. £5 note and £2 coin (or any other denomination depending on your generousity and depth of your wallet!)

Re gifts for family, mandarins are good (phonetically the word for mandarins is similiar to gold) but try to get some that still have leaves attached (I have no idea why, just remember my mother telling me this). Otherwise get something sweet, I think its something to do with sweetening the start of the year.

Red is good, v festive. Avoid white - its the chinese death colour! Also don't be surprised if your host returns part of your gift (especially if it is fruit) to you. I think its to do with karma and giving luck back to the guest or something. Gosh, my mother would be so proud of me for remembering this much (I hope its right!)

Apart from the above, I would definitely advise wearing something with an elasticated waist! There will probably be enough food served to last a week!

i have always been told that the amount in the red packet should always be even rather than odd. don't think the chinese like odd numbers very much. don't know why, just something my mum always said. so, since 4 is unlucky, i think it will have to be 6 although if they are small kids, then a 2 pound coin would probably be enough.

oh, and same thing applies for the mandarin oranges. even rather than odd and definitely not 4