The Chinese New Year's day is on Feb 1, 2003 which is the year of the Ram. It is the year 4701 in the Chinese Lunar calendar. Traditionally, the Chinese New Year celebrations start from the last month of the old year (farewell and preparation) and last until the first month of the New Year(welcome with good wishes).
     In Toronto, you can go to the Chinese Malls in our neighborhood such as the First Markham Place, Market
Village and Pacific Mall to shop in the Chinese New Year Market two weeks prior to New Year's Day. You can buy food for the special Chinese New Year's recipe's, candies and desserts, plants and flowers for decorations, New Year's posters, greeting cards and decoration novelties, red pocket envelop for lucky money, books about Feng Shui and new clothing. Towards the end of the year, it is a good blessing to have a good and peaceful year. All different kinds of traditional good wishes are made through different expressions. Good blessings were written in the Chinese posters and posted up in the wall for the whole year.
Flowers and plants symbolize lives, good new beginnings and wishes. Red pocket money is exchanged for good luck. There are special costumes for the Chinese New Year. It is important to have family reunions from both the paternal and maternal sides. Relatives, friends and business associates are all reconnected in the celebration. The New Year's celebration is full of big feasts and good food, lion or dragon dances, music and operas. Starting from New Year's Eve, people will greet each other with "Kung Hei Fat Choy" in Cantonese and the other good wishes from the New Year's poster. The good wishes include: Longevity, Wealth, Health, Peace and Good Luck.
     The Largest Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Canada will take place at the Automotive Building, Exhibition Place in Toronto from January 31 to February 2, 2003. The New Year is the year of the Ram, which is a very tame animal with white hair. It symbolizes peace, a kind heart and the gentle temperament of a lady.