Chinese New Year is traditionally celebrated with the colour red and firecrackers. Why, you may ask?!

Although the story of Chinese New Year differs depending on which article you read – it generally goes something like this:

A beast called Nian would come out of hiding once a year to eat people and destroy villages. One year the villagers decided to hide from Nian, all except for an elderly man who decided he was going to get revenge on Nian. That night the old man put up red paper decorations and set off firecrackers. When the villagers returned, they expected the village to be destroyed and the elderly man gone, but the village was undamaged and the man still alive! The villagers believed the man to be a god who had come to save them. Soon they realised that Nian feared the colour red and firecrackers so each year they would dress themselves and decorate their houses in all red and set off firecrackers!

What’s the story behind the animals for each New Year?

There are 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. The story goes that the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way to measure time. He decided to hold a race with animals and the first 12 animals across the finishing line would have a year named after them. 2017 is the year of the Rooster, it is said that people born in the year of the Rooster are confident, punctual, hardworking and many other admirable qualities!

How do we celebrate in the UK?

London always go all out for Chinese New Year and this year is no different. On Sunday 29^th of January there will be a parade, street performers and fireworks in the capital!

Check out ‘Visitlondon.com’ for more information.

It is becoming ever more popular for people to acknowledge the Chinese New Year, be it with a visit to a local event like this one local to us in Southampton, or simply eating a Chinese-inspired meal whilst children often learn about it in school, talking about different cultures and making relevant crafts.

Here at Balloon Market we have lots of red party decorations perfect for warding off Nian! What’s more, they’ll also be handy to stock for upcoming Valentine’s Day sales too!

When we thought of Chinese New Year – well, roosters in particular! – it conjured up images of dark, deep, rich colours and the Qualatex 11” radiant pearl range instantly came to mind!

The radiant pearl range of richly coloured latex balloons contains all the colours the finest rooster feathers can bring! From 11” metallic gold, radiant pearl ruby red and radiant pearl quartz purple through to radiant pearl forest green, radiant pearl burgundy and radiant pearl mandarin orange.  Teamed with the Chinese dragon balloon and you’ve got the perfect Chinese New Year balloon decoration! –

We hope you have found our blog interesting and 新年快乐!