Happy New Year

Chinese New Year 2015 began Thursday 19 February, and ends on 5 March. It is day one, month one of the Chinese lunar calendar and its date in January or February varies from year to year, between January 21 to February 20.

2015 is a year of the Goat according to the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac cycle. If you were born in a Goat year you should be particularly careful in 2015, according to Chinese astrology.

During 2015 most Chinese will be off work from Wednesday, February 18 (New Year's Eve) to Tuesday, February 24 (the 6th day of Chinese New Year). Officially only the first three days of Chinese New Year (February 19–21, 2015) are statutory holidays.

Like Christmas in the West, people exchange gifts during the Spring Festival. The most common gifts are red envelopes filled with money and given to children and (retired) seniors.