10 Things You May Not Know About Christmas – And You Really Should

Jingle bells, jingle bells~ Christmas is coming to town! In Malaysia, Christmas is mostly about, holiday-going, feast-making and gift-giving. Of course we will have the heavily ornamented Christmas trees, dozens of empty and filled present boxes under the trees, automatic crowd-pleaser roast turkey, and most importantly a great time with family and friends.

At least, that’s what Christmas is to most of us. But seriously, we’re willing to bet there are more behind Christmas, and there might be at least a couple of things you didn’t know about Christmas – and you really should.

1. Upside Down Christmas Trees

Yes, we are not kidding, upside down Christmas trees do exist as early as the 7^th century. As time goes, upside down trees hanging from the ceilings were used in department stores to increase floor space, but people decided they like the idea and took it home with them. 

A little twist on the traditional Christmas tree...
 make it upside down!

2. Artificial Christmas tree

Ironically, the first artificial Christmas tree wasn’t a tree at all. It was created by the Germans out of goose feathers that were dyed.

An artificial feather tree looks as real as
a real evergreen Christmas tree.

3. Christmas colours

Always wondered why Santa is red and the Christmas tree is green with gold and silver ornaments? Well, that’s because red is always a bright colour, which means joy and love. Green is the vibrant colour of holly plants and mistletoe which symbolizes birth and life, while gold represents the art of giving. 

That explains why we are ever happy to see Santa Claus.

4. Christmas gift

Who’d have thought… The world’s biggest Christmas gift is the Statue of Liberty! Given to the US by the French in 1886, the 152.5 feet tall and 225 tons weight Lady Liberty quickly becomes a symbol of freedom.

Statue of Liberty could be the most famous Christmas gift too!

5. Christmas carols

Caroling began from an Old English custom of “wassailing,” which originally means “to be of good health”. So when you sing Christmas carols, you’re wishing your neighbours good health in addition to Merry Christmas! 

Caroling is one of the most favoured Christmas
traditions all around the world

6. Christmas card

The record holder for the most valuable card for now is the first greeting card created and illustrated by John Calcott Horsley, which was originally sent to his grandmother in 1843. It was sold at $28,000. 

The first Christmas card is officially 172 years old this year!

7. Christmas song

According to Guinness World Records, the best selling Christmas song was sung by Bing Crosby in 1942 and it's called White Christmas. The song sold over 50 million copies around the world and is still a holiday favourite today!

8. Santa Claus

Santa received millions of letters from kids all around the world each year that the Canadian Post Office set up a special postal code for Santa. The postal code? H0H 0H0, of course.

The Santa Village where Santa resides. Meet Santa himself!

9. Christmas tree’s ornament

In Poland, spiders are considered as a symbol of goodness and prosperity at Christmas time. Therefore, it is common to see Christmas trees decorated with artificial spider or spider webs.

Spiders are a symbol of good luck, but not the
black spiders though

10. Mistletoe

Mistletoe is a beautiful plant symbolizing love at Christmas time because it remains green with delicate berries during the winter. Originated from the word misteltan, the name literally means “dung twig” as the plant seeds spread through bird droppings. That’s less romantic, huh?

Mistletoe... a Ho Ho Ho, or a No No No?

Now you know. At least there's something you can talk about this Christmas when you are running out of topic. But did you know, this year at Wah Chan, we are celebrating the gift giving tradition too with an exclusive Christmas pendant series. The gift is not as big as the Statue of Liberty, but the meaning is. Take for example some of our recommended choices:

9k White Gold Apple Diamond Pendant

9K White Gold Twin Star Diamond Pendant

9k White Gold Star Diamond Pendant

9k White Gold Star Cluster Diamond Pendant

Follow us on Wah Chan Official Facebook or instagram/wahchanjewellery for more Christmas jewellery collection.

5 Reasons Why You Must Have The Dragon & Phoenix Gold Bangles for Chinese Weddings

In the previous article 6 Traditions That Are Rarely Practiced Today in Chinese Weddings, we have introduced our popular Dragon & Phoenix Bangles. In the Chinese customs, parents from both sides traditionally translate the blessings into these pair of gold bangles, in hopes for a harmonious and abundant marriage for their children.

And today, we want to tell you why you should get a pair of them for your coming wedding. If you are still unsure of getting one, read through our 5 strongest reasons we deciphered for you J

1. It is a moving tradition

Giving a pair of dragon and phoenix bangles is a tradition that goes back many centuries. You can have a holiday wedding, a poolside party, but you are still your parent’s beloved child. They would be thrilled of your big day, and would love to bless you with the best gift they can afford. ‘The dragon and phoenix’ is a perfect design because together they represent Long Fong Pei (龙凤配), the most perfectly matched life partners. 

A daughter hugged her parents happily,
thanking them for their gifts and blessings

2. They strengthen the relationship between the bride and the in-laws

Not only by parents, dragon and phoenix bangles are commonly given to the bride during the tea ceremony by the in-laws and relatives, to welcome her into the family, and to show that she matters more than money! Whether or not you will be living together after getting married, your in-laws will still shower you with a pair of bangles as an appreciation for taking care of their son, and maybe them in the future. You get the hint?

A pair of bangles is also an appreciation from
the bride's in-laws

3. The sturdiest inheritance to pass onto future generations

Gold is beautiful, rare and doesn’t tarnish in time. With few simple steps, it is easy to store and it lasts forever. Dragon and phoenix gold bangles are especially treasured as this particular design never fades, and can be transferred to many generations with style. Think twice, it sounds economical too. You can just skip the buying and give it to your future daughter or daughter-in-law as betrothal or dowry gift! 

A pair of bangles may last for generations

Source: 51-wed, verywed, blog163, instagram

4. You can start investing for the future… right away

Gold cannot be created, it has to be mined. And the demand for gold never rest, which makes the price unlikely to go down too much, or too long. 

5. They are always handcrafted

999 pure gold is softer than other types of gold, thus the jewellery artisan would have to engrave each dragon and phoenix by hand.

Now, it feels like it was customized for you, isn’t it?

Traditions are not necessarily obsolete; with a touch of modernity it can be transformed into a trend, uniquely tailored to you and your wedding. This is what distinguished the dragon and phoenix gold bangles from other contemporary jewelleries.  It is not merely an accessory, it is a bond, between the parents and their children.

Our 999 Gold Dragon & Phoenix Bangles - "Xi" Series:

... Or 999 Gold Dragon & Phoenix Bangles - Classic Series:

At Malaysia's first and only Chinese wedding jewellery signature boutique, Wah Chan Section 14 Petaling Jaya (click Wah Chan PJ Section 14 for address), we have many varieties of 999 Gold Dragon & Phoenix bangles ready for you. Have you found yours?

Why We Need “9 Treasures” in Chinese Wedding

For many who are not familiar with Chinese traditions, wedding is more than just a union of 2 hearts. Every detail is planned and arranged extensively, bearing special meanings. Thus in Chinese culture, besides gold jewellery, we can always see a delicate classic jewellery box containing miniature pendants. It is actually the most important “9 Treasures” dowry box!

Made from 999 pure gold, “9 Treasures” consists of 9 auspicious ornaments intricately crafted based on the essence of Chinese customs in traditional wedding. “9 Treasures” is not merely a dowry ornaments’ box, it encapsulates blessings for long lasting marriage, and everlasting love for the bride.

Do you know what the 9 lucky ornaments we meant are?

1.            All-Well Scale

Once used by the groom to draw aside the veil of his bride in traditional wedding, it is now one of nine treasured items gifted by parents to daughter, symbolizing the beginning of a blissful marriage.

2.            Union Mirror

Representing union, perfection and grace of bride, the mirror embodies wishes of a sweet marriage, as well as enduring youth and beauty of the bride.

3.            Happiness basket

Originally used to store food, Happiness Basket defines wealth and abundance of groom’s family. Bride who is married into the family is expected to live off well without worries.

4.            Prosperous Scissor

Scissor is traditionally one of the 6 essential items in Chinese wedding, to make clothes for the entire family. Scissors for a bride is a wish that she will lead an abundant and fruitful life with her husband.

5.            Abundance Abacus

Call it a Chinese calculator if you like, and abacus works just as same. Having an abacus indicates that parents hope the newlyweds will be able to plan and manage their finance well thus prosper in their union lives.

6.            Devoting Pairs

Devoted as the name suggests, this pair of embroidery shoes signifies that the couple will stay with each other to in good or bad times harmoniously – till forever.

7.            Auspicious Comb

Have you heard of this saying during the night of “hair dressing” for the bride, “one combing for everlasting, second for togetherness, third for legacy”? Therefore comb plays the role of bonding between a husband and wife, which holds them together with endless love.

8.            Everlasting Ruler

A measuring tool which Chinese people believe would be able to measure happiness in marriage too, ruler here means many generations, constant happiness, and blessings for a successful career.

9.            Fortunate Box

The ninth ornament in “9 Treasures” gold dowry is Fortunate Box, which traditionally were used to carry bride’s dowry to the groom’s house, along with the good luck of bride to her husband’s family.

Whatever wishes, blessings or auspicious meanings “9 Treasures” hold, at the end of day we still need the couple to be united as one heart and make things real.  As parents, “9 Treasures” is part of things they can do best for their daughter before she steps into a new stage of life. This is why the tradition of buying “9 Treasures” gold dowry box remains even after centuries.

We are pretty sure your daughter can feel your unconditional love, and if you would like to get one, visit our first and only Chinese wedding jewellery boutique in Malaysia (Click here for location).

10 Super Awesome Gatecrashing Games for Grooms

Have you heard the recent news of a wedding gone wrong and called off just because the groom and his groomsmen (aka heng dais) disagreed to play the gatecrashing games arranged by the bridesmaids (aka ji muis)? In the past, marriages were pre-arranged by parents, thus the games were more of an icebreaker for the groom and bride who were strangers to warm up towards each other on their first night.

As time passed, the pre-arranged marriage is rarely practiced among Chinese community (phewww), but the games tradition continues. To make the occasion more light-hearted, we have compiled these 10 great ideas according to four themes for you – take your pick! After all, we want to see true love – and admittedly the red packet too. As the saying goes, no money, no honey…

Food Battle

1. Tongue Twisters

That's right. Find a list of tongue twisters and get each of the guys to try saying them while chewing a mouth full of biscuits. Can be really funny! Some of the popular choices: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, how much wood could Chuck Woods' woodchuck chuck and so on.

Tongue Twister in Chinese is even funnier!

2. Table MADner

Prepare some utensils such as long chopsticks, toothpicks, or a spatula etc and food that are hard to eat with the utensils. Write them down on small pieces of paper and put them into 2 separate boxes. Then, get the groom and his heng dais to draw a utensil and a food, finish the food using the utensils they picked. Imagine toothpicks and peanuts, long chopsticks with ice J

Eating with the wrong utensils proved a guy's determination

3. The Price is Right

Prepare some ready-to-eat food, for example a small pack of carrots, a 1L box of milk, a pack of biscuits etc. Split the groom and his groomsmen into 2 groups and get them to guess the price for each item. Team with the closest price value will win and the losing team will have to finish the food.

This is what will happen when you lose...

GOTCHA

4. Copy from Me

Line up the guys on one side; with the first and second groomsmen standing back to back. The first groomsman will be given an action (e.g. riding a roller coaster, washing clothes, taking wedding photographs) written on a piece of paper to act out without making any sound to the second groomsman, and so on. If the groom fails to get the right answer, the game will restart all over again!

We really need some comical guys here who are good
 in impersonation

5. Light as a Feather

Instruct the group to jump continuously on a skipping rope while hugging each other. They can stop once the camera snaps a photo of them – but who knows when the bridesmaids will click on the button!

Alternatively they can have free jumps without rope -
but still hugging each other

6. Face Off

How close are you with your buddies?

The groomsmen are the groom’s best buddies – or are they? Get one of the guys as the model, and one will be the makeup artist. The makeup artist has 1 minute to put makeup on his model, but he must be blindfolded so he has to trust on the directions given by the other heng dais such as “slightly on your right, higher, lower” etc. You'll need makeup: lipstick, loose powder and blush. Stay away from things that could injure an eye, such as eye shadow and mascara.

7. Yoga Horror

Show some pictures of partner yoga poses, let the groom and his groomsmen choose three of them and re-enact the poses, for 1 minute. Sounds easy? Try and you’ll know!

Yoga poses are always a gatecrash favourite!

All about Her

8. What’s in the Box?

Put several favourite items of the bride into a wrapped box (a recycled cardboard will do), preferably small items such as the first anniversary ring, a keychain, or a phone accessory. The groomsmen will take turns to put their hand into the mystery box and describe each item to the groom who will make a guess. Well, make sure your heng dais are descriptive and adjectives-rich. 

Grooms, do you still remember what you have given to
her as gifts?

 9. Is That Hers?

Mix a few photos of different hands. With the help of his groomsmen, the groom has to guess which is the hand of his bride. Dear grooms, are you nervous?

10. Password

And, how well do you know your bride?

Source: Instagram, sakuraphotography, jamie-low.blogspot, kennethlimphotography, 

lilfyenlaboratorium, karenlovesyou.wordpress, story.wedding2, 

toutiao, wanlinxoxo.blogspot, ronniechanphoto, pinterest

This can be the last game before the group is allowed to enter. Prepare a list of questions about the bride to ask the GROOMSMEN (yes, not the groom!), for example: When is her birth date, what is her favourite song, when the couple had their first date etc. The groom has to make his best without making sounds to tip the answer to the heng dais, but more importantly he has to know her well.


Girls can put in a lot of effort to set up the door games, so dear grooms and the groomsmen, be well prepared! But this can be time to trigger the sweet and romantic memory of the couple too, like when they see the first anniversary ring. 

Right, maybe we can give you some ideas for your first anniversary gift too?

916 Gold Charm Bracelets

18 White Gold Diamond Couple Rings

9k White Gold Sensuous Curls Pearl Ring

9k White & Rose Gold Heart-shaped Diamond Pendant

 Like us on Wah Chan Facebook as we bring more creative ideas to you.

6 Traditions That Are Rarely Practiced Today in Chinese Weddings

Once upon a time, traditional Chinese wedding was more than just a marriage between two people. It was a connection forming between two families to determine their future prosperity and legacy. Thus, the Chinese had come up with various interesting customs which they believed were auspicious and would bring good luck.

Though some of them are not practiced anymore, we are still amazed of the efforts and thoughts they put to ensure a successful marriage. We wonder if you too, heard or still see these cultural beliefs?

1. Brides used to cover their faces with a hand fan on wedding day

In the old days, a bride was required to keep her face covered with a head scarf and a hand-held fan. There are 2 intentions; one, to maintain her “modesty” and second, to protect her from the evil. From the moment she leaves the bridal room, she would need to cover her face with a scarf and held the fan in her hands. Now, hand fan is no longer customary in Chinese wedding although head scarf is still popular among brides.

Traditional hand-held fan was decorated
with Chinese poems or paintings

2. The bride’s mother was not allowed to visit her son-in-law’s family until one year after the wedding day

In the contrast, the new son-in-law and daughter would come home on the third day of marriage, which held a message that the bride was safe and good during her journey. The son-in-law would bring enormous gifts to his parents-in-law and a dinner party was prepared to receive them.

The tradition of daughter and son-in-law returning home on
the third day of marriage is mostly still practiced

One year? We will miss you lots mum! > <

3. Pregnant women are not allowed to enter the bride’s room during the entire month of wedding

These “women” included sister-in-laws, aunts, cousins and any others who were pregnant at the time, as they were believed not “lucky”, and it might off set each other’s health, happiness in marriage, as well as prevent the new bride getting pregnant.

Bride's room is more contemporary nowadays

4. Throwing buns to ward off toothache

Sounds funny? But it was practiced and many people would follow the bride’s sedan to catch the buns. Some children would even ask the bride to touch their mouths to make their teeth grow. 

Mantou is a popular steamed bun for Chinese for centuries

5. The bride is to pick up a pair of chopsticks on floor upon arrival at the groom’s house

There are 3 meanings behind this custom. First, it is to show that the bride is now married and no longer eats at her parent’s home. Second, to welcome the new daughter into the family. And third, the bride now carries the job of cooking for her husband’s family.

For Chinese, chopsticks signify a union of two people

6. Bride is not allowed to touch her house’s floor and has to be carried on her brother’s back

There were 2 beliefs behind this. Firstly, it was said to avoid the bride from “taking along” her family’s prosperity and good fortunes. On the opposite, the bride’s mother-in-law was afraid that the bride would “bring along” bad luck, bad temper and bad habits of her.

Today, carrying the bride is done by her groom

Source: 3qmogi, 52fhj, jschina, kujiale, photophoto, weidaohang

But, there are always other ways to rid off bad luck and to attract good luck in marriage. This is why traditional Chinese wedding jewellery is intricately crafted to embrace the best blessings. Among the long-hit are the dragon and phoenix bangles which meant to wish the newlyweds eternal love and lasting marriage.

Literally means prosperous when blossom, flowers are also perfect elements in traditional wedding jewellery.

"9 Treasures" Jewellery Box is small in size but big in wishes. Each piece of jewellery brings symbolic meanings of eternity, prosperous, beauty and successful marriage with children.

999 Pure Gold "9 Treasures" Box consists a pair
of scissors, a comb, a mirror, a pair of shoes, a scale,
an abacus, a bucket, and a ruler.

We have these auspicious pieces at our exclusive traditional Chinese wedding jewellery boutique in Wah Chan Section 14, Petaling Jaya. Visit us at Wah Chan Wedding Jewellery Retail Boutique or call us today at 03-7955 8321.