Celebrate the Chinese New Year

In 2023, the year of the rabbit begins on Jan. 22. Major celebrations occur from Jan. 22 through Feb. 5. According to legend, the rabbit felt arrogant about his speed. When the celestial race was announced, thinking he would obviously be first, he went off to the side and napped. When he woke up, three other animals had already arrived. People born in a year of the rabbit are considered kind, confident, attentive to detail and socializers. Learn more at chinesenewyear.net.

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Check out these ways to celebrate:

Lunar New Year at Atlantic Station

Each night, watch a lantern show to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, and on Jan. 22, enjoy a full day of festival activities. Through Feb. 5.

Source: Wes Radez/chineseamericanfamily.com

Make a Good Luck Character Banner

Decorate for the Chinese New Year and introduce your kids to Chinese calligraphy with this craft. The fu character means “good luck” or “blessings.”

Start with a red sheet of construction paper in the shape of a diamond. Draw a light pencil line down the center of your paper to keep your characters properly spaced. Using a paintbrush and black paint, start the first character with a short downward stroke in the shape of a comma. The second stroke looks like a number 7. Draw a vertical line underneath the second stroke and in line with the first character. The final stroke is another comma shape starting from the juncture at the center of the character. Start the second character with a short horizontal stroke. Draw a rectangular box underneath. Draw a larger rectangle with only left, top and right sides. Put a horizontal bar in the middle of the larger rectangle. Draw a downward stroke through the middle, pulling the brush to the left and back to the right to create the bottom of the rectangle. Source: Wes Radez/chineseamericanfamily.com

Give Dim Sum a Try

Dim sum means “touch the heart” and is a Chinese meal of small plates including steamed and fried buns, dumplings, rolls and more served with tea and enjoyed with family and friends.

Takeout

Enjoy Chinese culture by getting delicious food you can taste at home. Call or check websites for delivery or takeout options.

Practice Origami

In the past, paperfolding traditions arose in Europe, China and Japan separately. Origami is the art of paper folding, and although it’s often associated with Japanese culture, the term has become inclusive for all paper folding practices. To celebrate the New Year and the year of the tiger, fold paper lanterns, tiger figurines, red envelopes, gift boxes and more. Find step-by-step instructions and projects at origami.guide, origami-resource-center.com, origamitree.com and paperkawaii.com.

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