Materials: Tissue paper; pipe cleaners; garden cane; scraps of foil and gold paper; string; glue

Cut out two matching fish shapes from tissue paper.   Decorate them with scraps of foil and coloured paper.  Glue around the edges and stick the two shapes together to form a hollow fish.

Form a pipe-cleaner into a ring and glue it to the mouth.   When it is dry, attach the garden cane to the mouth with string.

Good Luck Wish

During the New Year, many Chinese hang scrolls around their homes to wish their family members good luck.  On the scrolls, they write poems and good wishes,

On red card, write a wish to a family member.  Place a straw on each end of the paper and roll it over to keep it in place.  Tape this closed.  Tie a piece of wool onto the ends of the straw so that you can hang it up.

Paying your Debts

All debts have to be paid in time for the New Year.   And nothing should be lent on this day as anyone who does the lending will be lending all year.  No one should use foul language and bad or unlucky words.   Death or dying are not to be mentioned and ghost bears are totally taboo.

If you are heard using foul language, you must pay a small forfeit for every word you use.  And if you owe subs tonight, then you must pay them back with interest the next week.

Oranges and Tangerines

It is good manners to bring along a bag of oranges and tangerines when visiting family or friends during Chinese New Year celebrations.  They represent much happiness and, for newly weds, they represent the birth of many children.  For those already married, they assure that their relationships with each other remain secure.

Bring some different types of oranges to the meeting and get the girls to taste them and decide which are their favourite.