The year of Ox.

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional Chinese holidays. It is sometimes called the Lunar New Year, especially by people outside China. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month (Chinese: 正月; pinyin: zhēng yuè) in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th; this day is called Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year's Eve is known as Chúxī. It literally means "Year-pass Eve".

Celebrated in areas with large populations of ethnic Chinese, Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors, as well as cultures with whom the Chinese have had extensive interaction.[citation needed] These include Aboriginal Taiwanese people, Koreans, Mongolians, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Vietnamese, and formerly the Japanese before 1873. In Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and other countries or regions with significant Han Chinese populations, Chinese New Year is also celebrated, and has, to varying degrees, become part of the traditional culture of these countries. In Canada, although Chinese New Year is not an official holiday, many ethnic Chinese hold large celebrations and Canada Post issues New Year's themed stamps in domestic and international rates.

The Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by visits to kin, relatives and friends, a practice known as "new-year visits" (Chinese: 拜年; pinyin: bàinián). New clothings are usually worn to signify a new year. The colour red is liberally used in all decorations. Red packets are given to juniors and children by the married and elders. See Symbolism below for more explanation.

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Yayyyy! Is Chinese New Year! I'm just as exited as any of the kids who's celebrating this festive season! Whyyyyyyyy? Because we get to collect ang pau aka red packets. & Inside those packets, there’s money and money makes people happy! LOL :P

Not forgetting the fooooooood of course. There’s some Chinese New Year must eat like Mandarin Oranges, 年糕 Nian Gao aka Chinese New Year pudding (is stickier than the normal pudding and as chewy as gum), 鱼生 Yu Sheng (Something like salmon salad), dumplings and sooooo much more!

Lastly, I would like to say, 恭喜發財 Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone and hope you and your families have a wonderful time and a safe trip home!

恭喜发财!!!

Peace!
Sylvia.