Tray of Togetherness

Countdown to Chinese New Year: 6 days
Along with tangerines and oranges, it is customary to prepare a tray of sweet stuff to serve to guests throughout the Chinese New Year season. The Tray of Togetherness (chuun hup) is a circular or octagonal tray filled with an assortment of candied fruit and nuts to provide a sweet beginning to the New Year. Each of the sweets has symbolic significance (for example, coconut represents togetherness). Trays of prosperity are easy to find in Asian grocery stores throughout the New Year season, or you can make up your own tray featuring an assortment of dried fruit, candy and nuts.

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_{Tray of Togetherness photo © 2007 by Rhonda Parkinson, licensed to About.com, Inc.}