Chinese New Year Tips - Gong Si Fat Chai

Chinese New Year starts on February 14, 2010 and lasts for 15 days. This is China's most colorful and important event of the year. This year it is named "The Year of the Golden Tiger." There are a total of 12 animals and they rotate throughout the years. There are many activities that happen during this time. On the first night of the celebration, there are fireworks to let go of the old and bring in the new, just like we do here in the USA. Also, on this night, they open all the windows and all of the doors in the house to allow the old year to go out! They have large parades and the lion dancing sways back and forth to the beat of the drummers. On the 5th day of the new year is the Chinese Lantern Festival and it is very colorful and beautiful. You will see paper lanterns made of the animal of the year and also huge large lanterns that are displayed in their parades.

1. Clean your house well in advance of the new year. Do not sweep or clean on new years day or it will represent you sending your wealth out the door. All brooms need to placed in closets.

2. Wear red since it is believed to be a happy color and symbolizes a bright future.

3. Give red envelopes filed with crisp dollar bills to children.

4. Decorate your home with nuts and sweets on a beautiful tray. You can also add chocolate gold coins to this mix as well.

5. Entertain your friends and laugh and enjoy the evening.

6. Open every door and every window on the stroke of midnight to let out the old year.

7. Clear your mind of "clutter" this day and keep your thoughts bright and optimistic for the coming new year.

8. Don't scold your children or cry on this day for if you do, it will symbolize what your coming year will play out for you.

9. Postpone washing your hair this day as you will be washing out your good luck.

10. Display large bowls of oranges on the tables to give to your friends and family as gifts.

Lillian Too has shared her traditions with students and followers of Feng Shui during her training sessions. She has told them that early in the morning of the new year, she brings in a truck full of oranges and she rolls them from the front door straight through her whole house. She is creating her own luck by following this ancient tradition.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

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Questions to Ask When Choosing a Courier Delivery Service

A courier service is a company that supplies door to door shipping and delivery of packages, letters, and other shipments. Courier services can be local, national, and international. Courier services among companies vary so when selecting the right service that meets your needs, it is important to ask the right questions.

Do you offer on-time delivery?

Most couriers offer guaranteed on-time delivery. This is normally available for standard shipping service, express shipping, same day delivery, and overnight shipping.

Do you have a solid reputation?

The success of a courier depends a lot on if they fulfill their shipping obligations, Couriers should have a list of customers who are happy with their services. They should have a reputation of handling packages with the best care and do not have a record of damage or loss of items.

What is the cost of the courier services?

Cost of shipping items can vary among couriers. It is important that you are getting the best value for your money. Ask if they offer discounts on bulk items. Find out what the exact services are for each shipping service. The lowest price is not always the best service.

What does the insurance cover?

Ask if the insurance covers the full value of the item being shipped and if it covers stolen, lost, and damaged items. You want an insurance guarantee on your item in writing. Producing a Certificate of Insurance should not be a hassle for an insured courier. Every courier company should have a minimum of one million dollars worth of general liability insurance

What are your delivery hours?

Some couriers work all hours and days. Some do not work on holidays. You may have to pay an additional feel for a specific delivery time.

What is your State Permit number?

Each state issues a permit to motorized transporters of freight. You should not use a courier who does not have the proper permit.

Are you bonded?

Bonding is insurance against a crime committed by an employee of the courier company. For instance, if a computer shipped an expensive item that was stolen by an employee, bonding would cover the customer for their financial loss.

How much will my shipment cost?

Cost of shipment will depend on the size and weight of the package. Many couriers have online calculators to determine shipment costs.

Are there items that the courier will not ship?

There are items that couriers are prohibited from transporting. Examples include livestock, liquids, perishable goods, glass, gases, pyrotechnics, arms and ammunition, corrosive..etc.

What information do you need when I book a courier?

Couriers usually need to know the type of item, size and weight of the item, destination address, what type of service is needed..etc.

When you enlist the services of a courier, they are obligated to answer your questions. Couriers are now an essential part of transporting items nationally and internationally. Knowing what questions to ask will go a long way to ensure your shipment arrives safe and sound.

same day delivery can save shipping costs, therefore if you purchase goods on the shipping package they provide you will usually get a discount price of the goods you order

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Top 5 Unique Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For Boyfriend - Let Him Know That You Care For Him

It's hard to meet someone that you really love and get along with. Some believe in unconditional love in which both love birds shown different ways to express their affection towards one another. When it's near Valentine's Day, most women find that it's hard to find out what their male sweethearts really want. Basically, most men are not very particular on gifts and it's important to find one that really makes him feel special as a lovely way of expressing your gratitude for having such a wonderful boyfriend.

Some men treat Valentine's Day like any ordinary day, however. It's like seeing them lack of adrenaline in which means that they are not very keen in celebrating this special day with their lover. In that case, gifts like boxers, socks, greeting cards and ties really put them in total boredom. Therefore, you need to consider these unique valentine gift for your boyfriend as follows:

1. Sunglasses MP3

Guys look elegant, hot and smarter when they wear sunglasses like those actors in Hollywood movies. Whatever reasons that makes your boyfriend waits; at least he has something to accompany him - his favorite music which he can listen while wearing his cool-looking sunglasses.

2. Heart Rate Monitor

If he likes running and exercising, or he's a gym enthusiast; getting him a heart rate monitor is appropriate because it allows him to improve his stamina as well as track his workout progress. Most professional personal trainers advocate the use of the heart rate monitors among their clients as this tool able to measure heart beat rate at their convenience.

3. DVD movie

This valentine gift is meant for your boyfriend if he's a movie buff. You don't simply choose a movie without asking his opinion. Therefore, you can take him to a DVD store and ask him to pick a movie that he likes most. Then, you can spend some quality time with him watching his favorite movie either at your or his place.

4. Snuggie

If you want him to have something cute for this special day, you can buy him a snuggie in his favorite color and he will snuggle up with it every night with nothing but you in mind. This would lead to the next gift.

5. Sex scratchers

If you're feeling a little naughty and you want to bring him some excitement, then you could gift him with sex scratchers. They are simply scratch cards like lotteries and coupons that reward him with little kinky favors, games, dares and perky challenges that can be a favorable plus for not only him but yourself too.

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