Preparation Of Red Egg and Ginger Party!

Since we have come back – our time has been completely utilised in preparing the room that we are staying in, unpacking and organising baby stuff…. Can’t believe there’s so much to do!!! But things are all going quite smoothly now and most things are done! Just gotta see my GP and midwife and pack my over-night bag!!!

Jet-lag: we did have that on the first day and slept at 7pm, waking up at 4am feeling hungry… I suppose now, it’s much better… still hungry at the wrong times though – but our body clocks are adjusting slowly but surely!

For the past day, we have been preparing for something known as the “Red egg and ginger party”… We’ve only started preparing the ginger early because, supposidly, the earlier you do it – the less “hot” the ginger will be!!!???

Waking up early, DnA and mum went to the market to buy 3 boxes of ginger… And the fun begins!!! I’m telling you – what a mission peeling all those gingers, roasting the skins and soaking the ginger etc…

So how did it all start? Let me explain:
In the Chinese culture, they usually celebrate the baby’s first month birthday. Proud parents would introduce the baby to friends and relatives by having something called a red egg and ginger party! Why not, any excuse for a party eh!!!??? Actually, real reason was, in ancient times, China experienced high infant mortality rates, and babies who reached the one month mark were likely to survive… so that’s where the celebrations started from!

The colour red represents happiness and good luck (which can also be seen in chinese weddings). The red-dyed eggs are meant to symbolise fertility and the renewal of life, and their shape is traditionally associated with harmony and unity. Think of ginger in the context of yin (cold) and yang (warm) – ginger adds a touch of “warmth” to a new mother’s diet, which is necessary given she’s typically weak and tired (yin) after giving birth….

These red egg and ginger parties can be held at home or now, in most cases in chinese restaurants…
Depending on whether you want to make a big party out of it! For us? Umm… It probably wont be a big affair here because we’re in UK and most of my frens are western and I so doubt they’ll want to eat this pig-trotter/vinegar/ginger concoction!! hehe… They’ll probably pop over to the house and we’ll jsut chit chat etc… Maybe when we return to Singa – we’ll hold a small party for close frens and family? We’ll see….

Traditionally, the one month celebration is also the time to reintroduce the new mother to the world. Becos, according to Chinese beliefs, women are in a weakened state in the weeks following birth and are expected to rest indoors for a month after delivery… known as confinement!!! (Luckily it’s cold and rainy this time of the year, or i’d go crazy being in-doors for that long!!!) Staying inside ensured that new mothers wouldn’t over-exert themselves, get sick or pass germs on to their newborns. In addition to resting, new Chinese mothers also drink a soup made with pig’s feet, eggs, vinegar and ginger.

So what kind of gifts do you bring to a Red Egg and Ginger party? Luckily money! Neatly folded into red “lai see” or “hong bao” packets!! But ofcos, you can give anything!! Note, guests don’t leave empty handed! If they want, they can take home some red eggs and ginger/vinegar concoction.