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Get Hopping for the Year of the Rabbit!

This year, February 3 will mark the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. If you were born in a rabbit year, you are articulate, ambitious, and talented and have a wise and conservative nature.

No matter what year you were born in, the Chinese New Year celebration gives you plenty of opportunities to ward off the winter blues and get together with family and friends for a festive meal.  It could be anything from a casual potluck to a banquet—here are some easy ideas to get you started:

Delight your guests with a multi-course Chinese banquet, served family style.  The secret is all in the planning—choosing recipes that can be prepared ahead of time and drawing up a “plan of attack.” Check out Kikkoman’s Chinese New Year Guide for a sumptuous menu for six people, complete with recipes and preparation tips.

Planning a Chinese New Year potluck? Guests will get into the spirit if you ask each to contribute a dish with symbolic meaning—check out our Guide to learn more about the meanings of the different foods served during the Chinese New Year celebration.

Bring the Chinese New Year theme to life with festive decorations.  If you live near a city with a Chinatown or Chinese import stores, spend a few hours hunting down festive decorating items, or go to your local art supply store and get creative! Red and gold are celebratory colors, representing good luck and prosperity. Gold coins, dragons, bamboo plants, and Chinese tableware and chopsticks will help set the mood.