Some of the Chinese New Year traditions are associated with children. For the lunar new year, children receive gifts of small red envelopes called "hong bao" that are filled with money. The red envelopes symbolize good luck and wealth for the new year (and are probably the origin of the name of the online gift shop, red envelope!).
Chinese also expect their children to eat oranges and orange-inspired dishes. In the Chinese culture, oranges symbolize good fortune because they are both sweet, as well as abundant throughout the country of China. By eating oranges as well as many other Chinese sweets, children are preparing for the sweetness that the New Year will bring.
In the northern hemisphere, citrus fruits are abundant in the winter, so you should have no problem making orange-inspired dishes to welcome the Year of the Dog!
- Andrew's Clemetines in Syrup
- Many a recipe with Mandarin oranges from the LA Times
- Nick's Chocolate-dipped Oranges
- Pick up a vegan cranberry orange cupcake in Portland
- Blood oranges, which, being red, are perfect for Chinese New Year
- From epicurious, try main dishes like Spiced Chicken with Oranges or Braised Pork with Orange and Fennel
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