Celebrated on the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community.Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac.The year 2012 will be the turn of the dragon to rules.Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day.Debts are settled, prayers and offerings are made. New clothes are bought and plenty of food are prepared. Family members from far come back for the gathering. New year cards are exchanged between friends and relatives. A reunion dinner for the family is held on the eve of the new year.Bad language and unpleasant topics are discouraged.
