The Chinese Lunar New Year is a time to invite prosperity and welcome good luck. Many cultures hold ancestor worship ceremonies on the first day of the Lunar New Year, with different rituals such as visiting and sweeping ancestors’ graves and preparing food for them. Folk arts and performances like dragon and lion dances, paper cuts, Chinese opera, and martial arts are commonly seen in the Temple Fair during Chinese Lunar New Year.

Many cultures also celebrate with gifts of money handed out in red envelopes. Red is considered a lucky color that can protect against misfortune, and it appears in abundance during Lunar New Year festivals. Foods that symbolize good fortune are also prepared and eaten in the company of family and friends, filling the air with the fragrance of dumplings, noodles, and other delectable dishes.

2022 ushers the Year of the Tiger! The Chinese New Year celebrations were from February 1st until and ended with the Lantern Festival on February 15th, the last day of the celebrations. Before Spring Festival, Chinese households will do their “Spring Festival shopping” (买年货, mǎi nián huò), a time to buy ornaments and decorate their homes with splashes of red and gold.

And now for something light-hearted! Here is Yegor, who has just finished his New Year shopping. What has he bought? Let’s take a look!