The first month after the birth of a baby is an important time for Chinese families, where it is also customary to distribute full moon gift packages for babies. During this time, Chinese parents often celebrate with a dinner or celebration. At the same time, the full moon also marks the end of the mother’s delivery period.
For a full month after giving birth, Chinese mothers are confined at home to recover. They are served with special Chinese herbs to speed recovery and are restricted to many postpartum customs. For example, bathing in cold water and drinking unboiled water are taboo during these times. On the contrary, the red date drinks and the chicken cooked with ginger are essential within the confinement menu. It is also common among Chinese families to hire the help of a Lady in Labor for a month. An expert in the arts of childbirth, she cooks and cares for the mother, advising her on all the do’s and don’ts of postnatal traditions.
A full moon party is usually held where friends and family are invited to welcome the new baby into the family. However, the grandeur of this party can vary between families. Some may choose to host a banquet, such as a Chinese wedding, while others may choose to have a party at home. Of course, with the new baby in the spotlight, this is an excellent opportunity for proud parents to show off their baby to the adoring guests.
Another special full moon tradition of the Chinese would be the presentation of baby full moon gift packages to friends, colleagues and family. Delicious delicacies such as turmeric sticky rice, red-dyed hard-boiled eggs, chicken curry, and a set of Chinese pancakes.
The most popular of the most widely used Chinese cakes in full moon gift packages would be the “Ang Koo” cake. Made from a mixture of ground glutinous rice, sweet potato and red food coloring kneaded into dough, each tart is inserted with a filling of soft green peas and pandan leaves. When the cake is cooked, a mold that resembles a tortoise shell would be used to form the unique surface of the “Ang Koo”. In Chinese culture, this would resemble longevity and prosperity. A must have in a full moon gift package would be a red egg in each package signifying new life and good luck. Served with pickled ginger, these eggs are boiled with the shells specially dyed red.
Finally, these essential items are carefully packaged in a gift box, specially designed for full moon packages. Presentable and uniquely designed, the name of the baby and the parents are printed on the lid of the pack. In truth, these fine full moon gift packs have evolved from the days of our grandparents when gift packs were presented in plastic bags.
Take a look at the variety of full moon gift packages available at Nyonya Restaurant!