KengYang(39)a)Chinese New Year is a very happy occasion where the Chinese people celebrate together.The Chinese New year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th. Chinese New Year, as the Western new Year, signified turning over a new leaf. Socially, it was a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stressed the importance of family ties. The Chinese New year's Eve dinner gathering was among the most important family occasions of the year. It is a festival where people exchange red packets and eat the reunion dinner.My family always go to our relatives houses during Chinese New Year to collect red packets. But it is my parents who give out red packets to the younger ones while the other adults give us, the children, red packets. I am glad that i do not have to give any red packets and instead receive them but i know that when i grow up and my relatives have children, it will be my time to give them red packets, by that time, i would already be an adult. It is an enjoyable festival as the whole family come together and celebrate. I remember whenever i go to my relatives houses during Chinese New Year, after receiving the red packets, i would have to thank them with good wishes. I would be feeling really excited whenever i know that i am going to the next house to receive more red packets.I would often spend time in my relatives' houses after receiving the red packets for a moment to play either computer games or hand phones. I enjoy the Reunion dinner at night where the whole family comes together to have a good dinner.Most of the time, it is me who eats the largest portion.After the reunion dinner, it is time for counting the red packets.Most children will count their red packets money when they are about to go to sleep and i really enjoyed that moment. The next day, my relatives would either come to my house or we would go to their houses. Many people will buy tangerines, oranges, pomelos to display in their houses as a symbol of wealth and good luck. When my relatives arrive to my house, we will have a tray full of dired fruits, candies and sweets to welcome guests and relatives who drop by. During the last day of Chinese New Year, we ate the last and happy dinner to rememorate Chinese New Year. After that i calculated the total cash in my red packets and unsurprisingly, it was lesser than last year by about $50-60. It was not surprising as the economy is bad. Still, i had a nice sleep and full of energy the next morning.
b)From what I know of what jess has experienced with his family during christmas, it is far of what my experience with my family of christmas is. Jess' family wanted to get their own presents for christmas but they do not have enough money to buy presents for themselves and their friends. While my family did not even think of buying presents for ourselves or our relatives.
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