Chinese New Year / Spring Festival (2/10/2013)

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- 年 nián : Year (4:12)
- 准备 zhǔnbèi : Preparation (2:55)
- 除夕 chúxī : The Eve (5:12)
- 活动 huódòng : Activities (5:58)
- 变化 biànhuà : Changes (3:33)

Chong Yang Festival (10/23/2012)

The Chóng Yáng Festival 重阳节, also known as the Double Ninth Festival, is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

According to the Chinese "阴yīn-阳yáng" dichotomy, the number nine is regarded as 阳yáng, which represents life and brightness. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double 阳yáng day, hence the name "Chóng Yáng Festival". (Chóng means "repeat" in Mandarin Chinese.) 

Show love and care to parents and
the elderly family members.

The ninth month also heralds the approach of winter. It is a time when the living need warm clothing, and filial Chinese sons and daughters extended this to make the festival a time for providing winter clothes for their ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival, therefore, also became an occasion to visit the graves of dead family members. Clothes made of paper would then be burnt as offerings.

On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The Double Ninth Festival is also the "Elderly's Festival". Old people are especially meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival.

Be grateful to parents.

The Double Ninth Festival is also a time for family get-togethers. It is an occasion to remember one's ancestors, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they underwent. Often, family outings are organised during which people search to renew their appreciation of nature and to reaffirm their love and concern for family members and close friends.
(Source: http://dragonkids.chinadaily.com.cn/tour/holiday/chongyang.html)

Comment in a sentence or two, why is loving and caring  for one's parents and elderly family members so important?

Mid-Autumn Festival (9/30/2012)

Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese Lunar calendar (that is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar).  It is a holiday in China and an occasion for family reunion. Chinese families like to get together to eat the mooncakes and watch the moon at the Mid-Autumn Festival night.

Related vocabs:
Mid-autumn festival - 中秋节 zhōng qīu jié
Reunion                  - 团圆 tuán yuán (group-round)
Moon                      - 月亮 yuè liang (moon-shine)
Mooncake              - 月饼 yuè bǐng
Lanterns                 - 灯笼 dēng lóng (light-cage)