| I am a Malaysian Chinese with ancestral roots in China. Chinese New Year to us is a very important event, even more so than New Years Day. We still maintain very traditional practices pass down from our great grandparents from China. Even now, you can see all the Chinese New Year decorations put up in hotels, offices and shopping centres, and you can hear Chinese New Year song everywhere. It is a very exciting time for the kids because they get ang pow money(压岁钱), which literally translate as Red Packet in English. Not so good for the adults though as it is a big expense. At Chinese New Year, they'll be fire crackers (it's illegal in Malaysia but people still do it); and Lion Dance;lots of Mandarin oranges(all imported from China);eat waxed duck and sausages(again imported from HK and China);and go visit relatives and friends to greet them a prosperous New Year;and play cards! It is indeed a fun time for all, and a great opportunity to get together with friends and relatives. It is good to see that we all celebrate the same way despite being in different places. |