On any given day in the office, our team looks for an excuse to order in lunch. One of our favorite things to order, is of course Chinese food. There’s something about dumplings and lo mein that just hits the spot midday on a cold winter day.

I got to thinking about how when I was 10, we adopted my sister Moira from China and we then celebrated Chinese New Year every year since she’s been home. We belonged to a Chinese American organization in Buffalo, where Chinese families, or American families with adopted Chinese children, would gather for language classes, cultural dance lessons, and holidays.

Celebrating Chinese New Year with this amazing group of people was a particularly cool way to experience Moira’s birth heritage and learn more about the Chinese culture. She was only one year old when we adopted her, so we found it was important to keep her aware and knowledgeable about where she came from. Between the dance performances and the food, our family had a great time during Chinese New Year and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Since moving away from home almost 10 years ago, I haven’t had the chance to celebrate again! So this year felt like the perfect opportunity to have fun with Chinese-inspired decor and eat some of my favorite foods. Seri and I got very excited about this steamer basket and ceramic takeout carton (currently sold out!) from CB2.

I hung some red fringe, gold lanterns, and set out out trays on the table. I even got the traditional red envelopes for each place setting. The color red is seen as a symbol of good luck to keep the spirits away, and these envelopes are used to gift money and wishes of luck to loved ones.

2020 is the year of the RAT. The Rat is the first animal of the 12-year Chinese Zodiac cycle, and people born in the year of the rat are said to be industrious and thrifty, diligent and positive! If you’re having a baby this year, it looks like you’re in luck. For those celebrating Chinese New Year this year, let me just say: 春节快乐 or Happy Chinese New Year!