Superstitions key to happy new year

Lunar New Year festivities are upon us, but in addition to all the merriment, there are plenty of do's and don'ts. Superstitious or not, here we go:

Do not cut or wash your hair until the second day of Lunar New Year (Friday). If you do, you may wash away all your good luck. If you need a trim beforehand, our advice is to hurry as all the best salons have been fully booked for days.

Do not buy shoes - the sound of the word in Chinese, hai, sounds too much like a sigh, which is a bad way to start the new year.

Do not sweep the house, you might sweep away your fortune.

Do - hang signs for 'fortune' upside down on your doors and windows, and stock up on sweets and tangerines (representing money) for visiting family and guests.