Here at Tiny Prints, we love a good reason to celebrate. When one of our stylish staffers told us that the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival was coming up on October 3, we jumped at the chance to feature this vibrant holiday on Tiny Talk!

Traditionally honored by people of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese descent, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebrates the time of year when the moon appears at its fullest and roundest. Families eat moon cake and pomelos, light colorful lanterns, plant mid-autumn trees and collect dandelions. Many people also light incense in honor of Chang’e, who was lifted to the moon and still lives there now according to Chinese mythology.

If you and your family are looking for some fun ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival this Saturday, keep some of these themes in mind:

Moon Cakes

Although moon cakes are traditionally filled with red bean paste or egg (which are delicious in their own right!), you can find a recipe for a fudge-filled moon cake here!

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Lanterns

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Dandelions

With a flood of baby shower and wedding invitations filling up my mailbox lately, a recent cultural party invitation really stood out. On tomato red paper and with gold letters the invitation announced a “Red Egg and Ginger Party” hosted by my friend’s in-laws. Since I’ve never heard of it before nor have I ever received any invitation like this, I did some research.

A Red Egg and Ginger Party is a Chinese cultural tradition that celebrates a baby’s 1 month birthday. High infant mortality rate was common in China as well as other countries at the time so when a baby turned 1 month old, this meant that they had survived. The event was celebrated and the infant was finally shared with friends and family and named.

Today, parents hold the party when their baby is 1-3 months old. And following tradition, they usually give out eggs that have been dyed red to symbolize happiness and renewal of life. This partly explains the name of the party but where does ginger come in? Well, ginger is supposed to balance out an overtired new mother’s yin and yang with a little heat. Ginger and eggs are both given out at the event.

If you are attending a Red Egg and Ginger party and don’t know what to get. Gifts traditionally given are money in red envelopes or clothing.

If you’re planning a Red Egg and Ginger Party, take a look at some of our invitations on Tiny Prints. And with its red and gold colors, this invitation from Wedding Paper Divas would fit perfectly for this occasion.

Sources: http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa012303a.htm