ECONOMICS OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR
February 14, 2013

Sunday, February 11 marked the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year. The Chinese New Year is the largest Chinese holiday. It is celebrated with fireworks, parades, decorations, and eating traditional sweets. It also involves a two-week holiday to enjoy with family and friends.

With the huge Chinese population, including Chinese diaspora spread out around the globe, the Lunar New Year is a holiday that deserves our attention. Here in the U.S., celebrations have been held on school campuses, in Chinatowns, and inside homes. President Obama even put out a statement on the White House website wishing Chinese Americans a happy Lunar New Year.

In a time of globalization and continued concern about our economy, the economic aspects of such a momentous holiday should not be overlooked. New Years