Red Eggs

In China when a Baby is born her parents pass out "Red Eggs" to everyone they know. In the past (and in more traditional areas it is still done) the entire family would get together and boil and dye eggs red.

The egg represents fertility and prosperity and red is lucky.

Most of the people in Shanghai give out packaged red eggs. You don't have to make them yourselves. You can just buy them and hand them out. There are even companies that will put them together in a cute little package for you so you don't have to do anything.

Here is a picture of a packaged red egg. It's wrapped in a thick red plastic. It's boiled and the shell has already been take off for you and everything. It's all ready it eat. (and yes. People love to eat them)

Packaged cooked red egg

In the States the tradition is to pass out Cigars. Though hardly anyone does any more.
Well since we are in China William decided it would be great fun to pass out the red eggs. It's a great way to share you joy with everyone around you and let people know your baby has arrived. So, with the help of our friend Penny, William ordered a box of 70 packages each containing two red eggs and two pieces of Dove chocolate. He wanted people to know he was double happy about his little girl.
After giving one out to every person at his company we soon realized that we needed to buy another box. There were still more people we wanted to share our joy with.

Bonnie Rose is happy about her red eggs.

We gave red eggs to all of our friends. That made them very happy and Penny told us that the more we gave away the more joy we were sharing.

Well that sounded good to us so William gave some to the employees at our favorite Restaurant where we have ordered dinner so many times since Bonnie has been born that they know where we live now and always want to come and see the baby. They also always give us free dessert. (HengShan Cafe, They have great duck)
He also gave them to all of our neighbors. And to the guards at the entrance to our building. They were all so surprised and happy to receive them that they STILL always greet us with a smile and ask to see the baby.

Bonnie Rose with Chocolate in her pocket and an egg in her hand

I gave some to the drink stand where I bought my daily boba milk tea when I was pregnant and the girls squealed and smiled over Bonnie. (I got a free drink too!)

Penny was right. It was really fun to share our joy with so many people, to see the smiles on their faces when we gave them the eggs ...

And to hear them tell us how beautiful our baby is.