In China, the 12th month of the lunar calendar(阴历) is called Layue. The month is full of interesting festivals and customs.
Laba Festival, which is on the 8th day of Layue, is the first festival in this month. From this day on, people begin to get ready for the Chinese New Year.
On Laba Festival, people often eat hot Laba porridge (腊八粥). There are usually eight things in the porridge: rice, red beans, peas, dried lotus seeds, dates, and three different kinds of fruits and nuts. The porridge is not just good for your health, but a blessing for the coming of the Chinese New Year.
Laba porridge is not the only tasty food in Layue. Laba garlic(腊八蒜) is popular in the north. People begin to put the garlic in vinegar(醋) from that day on, and eat it with dumplings during the Chinese New Year. While in the south, people like making sausages.
Another celebration before the Spring Festival is Xiaonian. It is usually on the 23rd or 24th day of the last lunar month. Xiaonian is an important day when people offer sacrifices(提供祭品) to the Kitchen God(灶神) who looks after the family.
Don't forget to clean your home. This is also an important thing to do to prepare for the Chinese New Year. It means sweeping away the dust of the old year and welcoming a fresh start. Now, the last thing for you to do is to wait for the coming Spring Festival.
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