Pig it Pig it
You would think enough is enough! Local pig icons Mc Mug and Mc Dull are everywhere but Watsons bring us three more ‘lucky pigs’: a Japanese porker with the word ‘happiness’ on its belly, a fat and fluffy creature (which actually comes in a family of six) and a cute little cartoon with sunglasses. But with all the pig ornaments we have seen during the Chinese New Year, I can’t help but wonder: aren’t pigs meant to be really… dirty?
Bid it Ever spend the night at the flower market at Victoria Park on Chinese New Year’s eve? You were kept walking (or more accurately, being pushed forward) by the masses, tried to stop at a stall and buy something, but were too annoyed by the crowd, noise and freezing weather and so ended up buying nothing. Now eBay has the first cyber Lunar New Year Fair. We are not saying we won’t go to the flower market anymore: some part of it is annoying but still we have so much fun there. But just in case you are desperate after searching in vain at the ‘real’ CNY fair, try the virtual one at http://pages.ebay.com.hk/flowermarket. But remember: flowers and fresh food are not allowed for sale in the online fair. For that you’ll have to squeeze yourself back into the crowd.
Dance it
You have seen her all tarted up as the punky Nana, a samurai and even a watermelon. There is nothing on earth Hello Kitty cannot be. She has even been seen as an astronaut, so how could a little lion dance be difficult for her? To celebrate the Chinese New Year, Ms Kitty has put on yet another new costume and is ready do the famous dance for us – in her own inimitable style, of course. A purple lion… now, isn’t that lovely? (Available at all Sanrio and selected gift shops.)
Spend it Chinese gold ingots are lucky, and having them around at this time of year means you’ll be rolling in it in the New Year. Of course, money’s important to us here in HK, it’s what shows we are achingly hip and stylish when out shopping. So we found a way you can ensure your shopping trips are always well funded: buy this wonderfully kitschy gold brick handbag for a constant in-flow of $100 notes. Okay, so it might not actually be achingly hip and stylish, but if it means your wallet will always spill over with dosh, why would you complain? Make your spending year fortuitous, pick up the handbag for $350 at GOD, 48 Hollywood Road, Central, 2805 1876.
Feng shui it
It’s very important you make the right decisions on the right days in the coming year, seeing as the forecast is for a less than wonderful 12 months. So what better way to keep track of dates, appointments and decision-making situations than a feng shui diary that makes predictions for every day of the year? The diary is stylish with a silk brocade cover, and is available in four colours and two sizes – large and small – from that iconic Hong Kong brand, Shanghai Tang. A perfect New Year’s gift for the destiny-conscious. Shanghai Tang, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, 2525 7333.
Pig it
Ever spend the night at the flower market at Victoria Park on Chinese New Year’s eve? You were kept walking (or more accurately, being pushed forward) by the masses, tried to stop at a stall and buy something, but were too annoyed by the crowd, noise and freezing weather and so ended up buying nothing. Now eBay has the first cyber Lunar New Year Fair. We are not saying we won’t go to the flower market anymore: some part of it is annoying but still we have so much fun there. But just in case you are desperate after searching in vain at the ‘real’ CNY fair, try the virtual one at http://pages.ebay.com.hk/flowermarket. But remember: flowers and fresh food are not allowed for sale in the online fair. For that you’ll have to squeeze yourself back into the crowd. 
