CNY 6 - Sweeties

Cookies..cookies!! Chinese will prepare different types of cookies for the visiting relatives and friends. Making cookies is one of the popular sources of side income for ladies and families during festive. There are bound to be new variants every year. The most popular cookies is still pineapple tarts.

The words on the containers read what you will always hear during CNY - Gong Xi Fatt Chai!!!

What are the different food you prepare for festive season?

CNY 5 - Golden Year

Gold is the universal currency of the world. With the arrival of another lunar new year, Chinese will not hesitate to dress up their houses with all these 'golden' little decor. Hope the new year will bring lotsa wealth and prosperity to the family.

The smaller ones will be hung on plants, the bigger ones on walls, doors and other corners of the house.

CNY 4 - Bak Kwa

This is called Bak Kwa - barbecued pork. They come in a few variety these days. The popular and common one is on the left - comes in slices. The one on the right is similar to western bacon.

There is also barbecue chicken in slices. The meat is processed and grilled. It is chewy, not crunchy and smells delicious. Like all nice Chinese food, it is also high in cholesterol. However like all Chinese, I would say : Hehe...but I don't care because I like Bak Kwa a lot a lot :)

CNY 3 - Properous Bloom

Glorious Royal Yellow Bloom

Chrysthemums always carry an air of regality, to me. In a 2007 chinese movie starring Chow Yuen Fatt and Gong Li, you can see millions of these flowers laid out at the palace grounds. It was for a festival called Chong Yang.

Chong Yang is not celebrated in Malaysia, but for CNY, chrysthemum is of great demand. I am not sure of their significance but suppose the glorious yellow bloom is delightful during festive.

I am sure you have had chrysthemum tea in chinese restaurants. Do you like it?

CNY 2 - Festive Tomatoes

Cherry tomato is one of the festive plants. Red, cute and bubbly..they kinda fit the role perfectly.

CNY 1 - Soaring Higher

Have you seen any of these before?


This type of bamboo is one of the favourite decors for Chinese New Year (CNY). For Chinese, it has the significance of raising to a higher level - literally - or soaring to greater heights in whatever you desire.

You can find these in night markets, supermarkets, or at the florists. They are popular festive gifts as well. Like in the photo, cute little decors are hanged on the bamboo, normally these decors are red-inline with CNY.

I will be travelling a bit in the coming 3 weeks. Therefore will not be able to post each day. However I am beginning a CNY series in the days to come, hope to give you a feel on the plants, decor and food that we have here for CNY.

Bag This

Now this is what I call a Mobile Entrepreneur :) A creative and cheap way to display your products. No hassles of fixing and dismantling shelves or tables.

It aint Chinese New Year without these

Mandarin Oranges.. one of the MUST HAVEs for Chinese New Year. They come in different grades and sizes. You can get 1 box at around RM 30 and sometimes cheaper. There are probably hmmmm.. actually I have never counted.. more than 30 mandarin oranges in each box. They are given as gifts as well.

It is customary to bring Mandarin Oranges when you go visiting during CNY. They are a sign of auspicious and prosperity. And they are sweet and come in bright colors, so they are considered as something good for the festival.

Supermarkets and night markets will be selling these 3 weeks before CNY. Besides Chinese, they are popular among other races in Malaysia as well. We normally eat them throughout the month althought CNY is only 15 days.

Sweet Year Ahead

Have a sweet 2008.

Candies and sweets are another essentials for festivies. Especially for Chinese New Year whenrelatives and friends will come to visit and collect Ang Pows.

Chinese families will prepare lotsa biscuits, cookies, sweets and other snacks to entertain guests. They are normally placed on a table in the living room, when guests come, they are welcomed to take their pick. Pineapple tarts are normally the hot favourites.

Sticky Money

The traditional sticky 'Nian Gao' is made into the ancient money form. You normally see these in period dramas.

The appearance of 'Nian Gao' shows that Chinese New Year is approaching soon. Kids were told there we leave these at the altar so that the Gods will not be able to report bad things about us - because their mouth will be stuck from eating these sticky 'Nian Gao'

Looking Out

This guy was trying to find his friend who stepped out of the car to go to the toilet nearby while the mega-traffic jam was going on.

Camouflage

Can you see him?

Something In Store

I like the green and texture of this picture. Hopefully this new year brings a greener hope to earth.