Love and the Year of the Tiger

It is that time of year when people not in a relationship are reminded of that fact by the hearts, roses, chocolates, and cards consumers are bombarded with left and right. It is also the time when those who do have a significant other must consider how to celebrate the occasion- Should I make reservations for dinner or cook at home? Should I make a card or buy a pre-made, less personal card? The current economy certainly makes purchasing outlandish gifts for a significant other not as practical. This year; however, Valentine’s Day shares the date with a more family oriented holiday that may result in more people seeing fireworks at the end of the night.


February 14, 2010 marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger. The focus for the Chinese New Year celebration is on bringing good luck for the year and on the coming of spring. The celebration is carried out with family gatherings, all of which feature savory dishes and colorful decorations.


If Valentine’s Day is not your kind of holiday or if you happen to be looking for a different way to celebrate the occasion, how about having a gathering with friends and family? I am contemplating the idea of getting together a group of friends this Sunday and heading over to Empress Pavilion for some of the best dim sum in Chinatown.


Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year seemingly have more in common than one might think. Wearing an article of red clothing seems to be most advantageous this year. The color red symbolizes love; this makes it an ideal choice for attire donned on Valentine’s Day. For those seeking a more fortunate year, the color red symbolizes luck in Chinese tradition and particularly for New Year celebrations. The giving of flowers is very popular during Valentine’s Day but why not buy them even for yourself. Having fresh flowers in my apartment always seems to put me in a better mood, and according to the Chinese flowers symbolize a new beginning which can be motivation enough.




This year whether we celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Chinese New Year, or both, a positive attitude can incite the hope for new beginnings in both love and life. I remember from childhood my mom referring to Valentine’s Day as “el dia del amor y la amistad,” or in English “the day of love and friendship.” We all have someone in our lives that we can be grateful for: a friend, a relative, and most certainly a significant other.

-Yvette Olguin