Gung Hay Fat Choi (Happy Chinese New Year)! In many Asian countries, celebration of the Lunar New Year lasts for three weeks, with many people taking vacations, visiting their relatives and enjoying food, music and time with loved ones. This year, which started on February 7, is the Year of the Rat. Asian astrologers say people born during the year of the Rat (1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984 or 1996) are realistic, shrewd, inventive, curious and ambitious (you’ll have to decide for yourself if that’s true). If your kids are curious about Chinese New Year, Kaboose.com explains the holiday in a child-friendly way, including easy crafts, such as making lucky red paper envelopes. For a more general history of the holiday, you can look at 123holiday.net. Traditional foods during Chinese New Year are noodle dishes, dumplings and whole fish, and the Food Network has a whole page of Chinese New Year recipes. It’s also a good time to buy a new wok for those new recipes. Williams-Sonoma has a good selection of stainless-steel woks at various prices, as well as rice cookers and rice pots. And if you can resist giving a gift, FindGift.com offers some ideas, such as a silver-plated fortune cookie ($19.95, pictured) or this lush lucky braided bamboo ($69.95). Traditionally, the Year of the Rat is supposed to be a good year for hard work, activity and getting a fresh start in your life – not a bad suggestion for anyone.