maternity
Baby Remy
Renita Schmidt chose to have baby Remy’s hair cut when he was one month
old. Whilst at the 100 day celebration they were able to enjoy time with family and
close friends at an intimate party. The party theme was red and they gave red
eggs to all the guests. They used pictures of Remy’s face to decorate and make
the event personal. Whether you are celebrating the full moon or the 100 days, a
party is typically held at local hotel venues, Chinese restaurants, function rooms
and/or at home. Hotel and restaurant parties will most likely include a traditional
Chinese banquet meal, while parties at home may be more casual affairs.
HELPFUL HINTS
The Don’ts
•
•
Do not dress in black, blue or white
clothes because these colours are
traditionally linked to mourning.
Do not offer gifts, like scissors, clocks,
and pears, since they have bad
connotations in Chinese customs.
The Do’s
•
•
•
26
Traditional cheongsam and bright
red are good choices. The colour
red has positive connotations of
happiness, warmth, prosperity,
virtue, sincerity, and truth.
It’s important to consider that the
100 day celebration is a joyous
occasion akin to a wedding so
remember to dress in party clothes.
A qipao for the baby is a good
idea. Hand presents to the
individual with both your hands.
Gifts are considered as an
extension of the one giving and
using both hands shows respect.
www.playtimes.com.hk
•
Accept gifts with both hands, thus
expressing your appreciation.
Gift are customary in a 100 day celebration
or the first time seeing an infant as with
most cultures. In addition to the gift
itself, the amount you spend on it, how
it is wrapped and presented is equally
important according to Chinese culture.
•
•
•
Ideally the gift should be wrapped
in a red paper or a red packet to
symbolise good luck.
Money should be placed in a
Chinese red envelope and is the
most traditional and common gift.
The amount given should end with
an even number while favouring the
auspicious number eight.
Gold jewellery is also a popular
choice. Many families celebrate
a new baby’s life using a gold
bracelet or necklace with a longevity
•
•
•
lock. The lock in Chinese culture
serves as a sign of a shield, which
is meant to help ward off evil and
also symbolises good fortune and
health. Longevity locks can also be
engraved with special characters or
the baby’s name. Some people say
that the lock should stay closed until
the child grows up and gets married.
Jade is a very popular gift and
symbolises protection. The jade can
be made into charms or bracelets.
Often jade jewellery is shaped in its
Chinese astrology symbol such as
monkeys, pigs, dragons or rats.
The Chinese believe that peach
wood wards off evil spirits, and so a
gift made from peach wood would
be well received.
Baby clothing is always a good
and practical choice and can be
personalised with the baby’s name
and in auspicious colours, like red.