Hi my Steemit Friends, Tomorrow is the first day of Chinese New Year. Do you know how busy we are for preparing this tradition in Hong Kong? Let's follow me and see what I have bought for tonight family dinner and Chinese New Year at the market today! ![IMG_1210.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXuergTFR87eXLN5K8t4Aqy8BJdLcWhM8c2ksGRMhWu5a/IMG_1210.jpg) This is the market we always go shopping at which is in Tai Po, New Territories. It's so popular and so many people come here for buying fresh vegetables, meat and fruit, even people who live in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island will come here for shopping. ![IMG_1208.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmX1MYwKqeaDWDkqrwdovsRCo1iyijQmrVj4P4F34ArezP/IMG_1208.jpg) Some of the stalls sell the cabbage wrapping by red paper. There always are some nice words like 'Be lucky', 'Be wealthy' or ' Happy Chinese New Year'. Then we normally hang it outside the kitchen until it grows old then throw it away. It's kind of like a blessing to the family. ![IMG_12z07.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcUEnLdncpMnCzgUgmmTBN7p1eZA4TwjD7GsuhgrAUumQ/IMG_12z07.jpg)! The fruits we usually have for CNY are pomelos, mandarin oranges cause the names of those fruits have the same sound as when we say 'Good Luck' in Cantonese. ![IMG_1213.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSchwFYDqfx5iwjHAqG9E5UGfsULFNyC4ew1YYHUWYcBE/IMG_1213.jpg) You see how many kinds of fresh fruits in the stall and the mandarin oranges are the most popular ones. We will put a bunch of mandarin oranges on the Chinese candy box for storing candy and other edible goods at home for serving guests. ![IMG_1215.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSLiWTNHzhmF4wkY47YtG6TtpTS52KF4wsGQ9ERQWV2Eg/IMG_1215.jpg) Everyone finally has holiday for CNY and they go for the last sprint before all the stalls close for holiday. That's why it is sopacked everywhere and this is the good time for the shop owners make more money:D ![IMG_1217.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYCFsD3VWtWzzfaoQYnYnZSvasJNBv7DHfcNEZS5e5EhD/IMG_1217.jpg) Some old people from villages grow their own plants and they sell pomelo leaves at their small illegal stalls on the street. No many polices will care about it like normal days in Tai Po as we quite respect the old people in New Territories especially Chinese New Year. Why do we need to buy pomelo leaves? It's hard to guess this time! We take shower with pomelo leaves as it means washing away the bad luck from last year and this year will be great and fresh! When I was kid, I don't like something bother me when taking shower and also we need to finish shower before 11p.m (CNY comes). Now I am okay with that as the leaves actually smell quite nice! Why not then? Better than the shampoo with chemicals though! Lol ![IMG_1218.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmc2obtqZV9Ecm3jCqR6vr9nGF6qWb4wAnpT4Ry2FQkqvA/IMG_1218.jpg) Kids like CNY as they can have excuse to eat lots of snacks and candies when adults are busy with gathering. Kids' only free time of the year! haha. I loved to sit next to the Chinese candy tray for whole day (I finished and the adult replenish some more):D Pistachio, red seed and black seed are must have items inside the candy tray! ![IMG_1221.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUiPhqMrkZEVGKXRBnEeVY38UA6vpH4vJrkbcEBJvfewU/IMG_1221.jpg) I also bought a lovely Jade vine for home and make my place fresher and nicer. Hope it can bring us luck and happiness as the plants always do. I love plants as they bring us so much energy and good vibes! https://media1.tenor.com/images/e15172d8e9649b05bebd69e303fa8a28/tenor.gif?itemid=7579859 ***I am looking forward to the Year of Dog 2018 which must be a beautiful and amazing new year for me. New journey is gonna start:D Kiss me, The year of Dog :P*** Hope you guys like my post! Wish you all the best! Much love, ***Gladys*** ![IMG_5072 copy.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVJzLphP5Lvsc5SfPmFWRZ8NyBVvgt29fxyB8Ho1E847C/IMG_5072%20copy.jpg)