Originally Posted By junglejoy We are going to our neighbors house for Chinese New Year today. What should I take as a hostess gift? Neither of us drink, so that's out of the question. I usually make homemade rolls which they go all ga-ga over, but I'm not feeling so well today, so that's not going to happen. They always come to our house for Thanksgiving and usually give us a Christmas decoration (very elaborate) for our home or something very cool from China. Help! Thanks!!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Money. Yeah, it seems tacky, but it's a very traditional gift. You give the money in a red money packet. "Lei See" in my dialect of Cantonese. You can usually find the packets at an Asian market; I have even seen them with Disney characters. You can make them too: <a href="http://www.blss.portsmouth.sch.uk/hsc/cny/moneypack.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.blss.portsmouth.sch .uk/hsc/cny/moneypack.shtml</a>
Originally Posted By LuLu Oh trek I had a question for you too! I was thinking I should give my tenant (she's Chinese) a small gift for New Year (is that appropriate?) since she gave me something at Christmas. Any ideas? Money seems weird in this instance since she pays *me* for rent, but... well, let me know!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Hmm. Well, a common Chinese greeting is "Sik fan mei ah;" "Have you eaten yet?" So I am thinking Char Sui Bao, which are bbq pork buns, either steamed or baked. A "real" Chinese restaurant will have them, and you can find okay versions of them at an Asian market in the frozen food section.
Originally Posted By friendofdd Now you've made me drool all over my keyboard, TR. I'll take 'em steamed, please.
Originally Posted By poohbear14 The steamed buns at the 99 Ranch Market in Irvine are real yummy! :-D Can't stand frozen ones.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Mandrin oranges are displayed in the home to bring good fortune. I got a great laugh watching the news this morning, when the Chinese anchorwoman presented mandrins to her co-anchors and told them they could NOT eat them, LOL!
Originally Posted By avromark Good luck with your finding the appropriate gift junglejoy. Have you considered perhaps a CD of your favourite music and a nice plant? Perhaps a small painting/print (depending on their taste of decor), maybe an afghan? A nice welcome mat for their front door? A set of red place mats to celebrate the holiday? A nice small piece of art glass like a vase or candy bowl? <-Part Asian, you could always bring a box of sweets or treats if they have a sweet tooth. Or perhaps a gift from your own culture? For example if you're Canadian you could give a couple of bottles of maple syrup. (I know you're probably not Canadian.)
Originally Posted By junglejoy Yeah, I'm a Californian. I don't know what I'd bring to represent that - expensive designer water? We ended up taking cookies and a plant. And WOW! was it the best meal ever. They are both great cooks, but this time he did the cooking and it was fantabulous! I wish they'd have us over for leftovers... Thanks for all the great suggestions. And Happy New Year! They taught us how to say it in Chinese but I know I won't do that justice.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling I'm glad you had a good time junglejoy! Happy New Year!!! <--- REALLLLLY craving Char Sui Bao now and thinking about starting a new thread. I mean how cool is the phrase "Year of the Fire Pig"!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Happy New Year! They taught us how to say it in Chinese but I know I won't do that justice.>> In Cantonese: Gung Hay Fat Choy!
