Preparing for Chinese New Year

Posted on January 17, 2014 by admin

We’ve focused on some traditional events taking place in January all over the world this week and we’re concluding with our build up to Chinese New Year. The oldest festival in China is just two weeks away now, with the celebrations of the year of the horse taking place on the 31^st January. If you’re gearing up for Chinese New Year or know someone in China who will be celebrating in two weeks time, choose RAND as your logistics company to send parcels to China.

On the eve of Chinese New Year, families will spring clean their homes in preparation for a new beginning. Once cleaning is over, everything used to clean is put away to symbolise the idea that good luck will not be brushed away. Once New Year s Eve arrives, families will host a large dinner with all sorts of traditional Chinese food. The theme of good luck is maintained as phrases wishing happiness and wealth are present across the household.

The night is filled with huge fireworks displays that are meant to scare away any evil spirits along with dragon costumes and red clothing. Children are given red envelopes by their parents and grandparents that contain treats and money, a further sign of prosperity and good luck. The festival continues for 15 days, concluding with a lantern procession at night.

Make sure you check out RAND Logistics range of services this Chinese New Year or contact us for more information about how we can get your parcels from A to B on a worldwide scale.

January – The Birth of the Prophet Muhammad

Posted on January 16, 2014 by admin

Earlier this week, Muslims across the world celebrated the birthday of the prophet Muhammad. Mawlid an-Nabi or “Birth of the Prophet” is an annual celebration that takes place in most countries with an Islamic population or culture. It is only observed by Muslims. The term Mawlid is used in countries such as Egypt to symbolise the birthday of many other religious and historical figures. Countries such as Egypt, Dubai and Morocco regularly observe Mawlid on January 14^th as these countries host a large Islamic population.

Muslims observe this date by treating it as a national holiday. The celebrations are similar to that of “Eid”, with large firework displays, decorated crowds and prayers all dominating the schedule of the day. Friends and family will meet and share a meal together after gathering at a mosque for prayers. Many countries will show programmes that commemorate the event, especially in places like Egypt and the U.A.E. Interestingly, Saudi Arabians tend not to celebrate the birth of the prophet as it is not a significant date registered in the Qur’an.

Are you planning on sending something to a family member or friend to commemorate Mawlid an-Nabi? RAND Logistics provide an international delivery service to the U.A.E and other countries that celebrate the event. Take a look at our range of services or you can contact us for more information regarding your shipment.

The Australian Open and Australia Day

Posted on January 15, 2014 by admin

January is a very important month for those living in Australia with the Australian Open tennis tournament currently being held and Australia Day approaching on the 26^th. Andy Murray will be hoping to build on a successful 2013 by winning the Australian Open after returning from injury, though the sweltering heat in Australia is something all the players are having to deal with at the moment.

australian_flag

The tournament is held in Melbourne during the last fortnight of January. The current champion, Novak Djokovic, is one of many world class tennis players that take part in the tournament, making it an excellent destination for tourists in January.

The national day of Australia marks the anniversary of the first arrival of British Ships to the shores of Australia. There are various community events to behold on the 26^th of January whilst families often make the most of the special day by organising gatherings. You may well have a relative staying in Australia who is preparing for Australia Day, in which case you can make the most of our international parcel delivery to Australia.

Need to get some forgotten sandals to a loved one in Australia this month? Maybe you need a postal service that’s a bit more local? Either way, makes the most of our services here at RAND Logistics, which includes both a collection and delivery service.

Coming of Age Day in Japan

Posted on January 14, 2014 by admin

Yesterday was Coming of Age Day in Japan, a national event that has been celebrated for over a thousand years. The ceremony surrounds a young prince’s passage into adulthood by wearing glamorous robes and being given a new hairstyle. Most of the young adults who attend Coming of Age Day in Japan are 20 years old, except for some who are actually 19 and have birthdays that are between April of last year and April of this year.

Coming of Age Day is a big thing in Japan, with government officials attending local offices to give out presents to the new adults. The women that celebrate the event are generally dressed in a style of kimono, though they will usually visit a beauty salon to look their best for the day. Many of these kimonos are passed down through generations as the traditional Coming of Age dress is particularly expensive. In most cases, the young adults will finish the day by heading out to parties or bars for the evening.

Do you need to ship a parcel to Japan? RAND Logistics offer a global service that includes both collection and delivery. If you know someone who is celebrating their coming of age today and you need to send a gift to Japan, you require our services here at RAND!

It’s OFFICIALLY 2014

Posted on January 13, 2014 by admin

Its January 13^th so Happy New Year! Whilst it may seem a bit late to offer best wishes to 2014 in actual fact, this is the day that the old Gregorian calendar would celebrate the coming of the New Year. Many religions still treat today as the official turn of the year, so there’s an excuse to consider opening a bottle of champagne this evening! If you’re one of the few who may be celebrating New Year’s today instead, make sure you ship your gifts internationally using RAND!

Speaking of gifts, there may be many of you out there who have sorted your Christmas gifts and decided that a few of them just aren’t worth keeping. They might not be your thing or maybe you’ve got two of them already. Either way, you probably don’t want to let the person who gave it to you to know you’re selling them online. Take advantage of RAND Logistics services if your gift was something a bit more heavy-duty. We can pick items up from you and send them on their way, so you don’t have to sneak off to the post office!

If you’ve got any unwanted Christmas gifts lying around, get a quote from RAND today and ship your unwanted gifts internationally with us!

New Year’s Across the World #5

Posted on January 3, 2014 by admin

It’s the last day of recognition for the New Year on our blog and we take a look at how New Year’s is celebrated in our last country, Greece. There are plenty of Greek traditions that are carried out on New Year’s which makes Greece a wonderful tourist destination at the change of the year. Here are a few notable events that take place on the New Year’s celebrations in Greece.

The most notable of traditions in Greece is the kremmida decoration, the process of hanging an onion on a door. This bizarre tradition is immensely popular in Greece with strict traditionalists and it represents the birth of a New Year. For the Christians that are preparing for church on New Year’s Day, parents will tap the heads of their children with the kremmida to wake them up. This is also regarded as a traditional act. To symbolise good fortune for the coming year, Greeks will place a pomegranate on the doorstep of their home before entering on the 1^st January.

Are you planning on shipping a gift to Greece in the New Year? If so, make sure you take full advantage of the services RAND have to offer. Get your quote here and discover our attractive shipping rates.

New Years Across the World #4

Posted on January 2, 2014 by admin

Our fourth day of this week commemorating the New Year focuses on celebrations in the Czech Republic. The Czechs are known for putting on gargantuan firework displays on New Year’s Eve. It is also an extremely popular tourist destination for times such as New Years Eve when the clubs and pubs are at their most jovial. Here’s what to expect from a New Year’s celebration in the Czech Republic.

In the capital city of Prague, the famous Charles Bridge hosts a wondrous fireworks display every year to celebrate the start of the New Year. Once the clock strikes midnight, the fireworks begin and they attract tourists from all over the world.

As is the case in the UK and in many other countries across the world, drinking, eating, partying and celebrating are all high on the list of priorities to locals in the Czech Republic. You can find all sorts of lively places once the night life kicks in and New Years proves to be a truly memorable experience. Some of the celebrations spill out to the city squares where there is likely to be evening entertainment to accompany the unforgettable atmosphere.

Are you planning on sending a parcel to the Czech Republic in 2014? If so, RAND Logistics has all the necessary services to get your shipment from A to B in no time! Make sure you check out our services in the near future.

New Year’s Across the World #3

Posted on January 1, 2014 by admin

Today we look at how New Years is celebrated in Spain and how it differs to other nations across the world. Many countries have their own distinct traditions and ways in which they celebrate New Year’s. Spain is no exception and they have a range of different traditional approaches to the big day. Here are a few notable traditions carried out in Spain to symbolise the start of the New Year.

The general Spanish approach to New Years is similar to that of many other countries. Late night partying and celebrating is promoted across the country with the main celebrations taking place after midnight and through to the early morning. Before this, there is a traditional dinner held amongst the family to represent the coming of the New Year.

A more traditional and bizarre approach to New Years is the consumption of twelve grapes which match the chimes of the twelfth hour. The eating of each individual grape corresponds with each chime and Spaniards are encouraged to make a wish in time for the New Year during this process. This tradition spans over 100 years and began when vineyard farmers needed a selling point for their left over grapes.

If you need to send a parcel to Spain in the New Year, be sure to make the most of RAND Logistics services throughout 2014. Take a look at our services for more of an insight into what we can offer you.

New Years Across the World #2

Posted on December 31, 2013 by admin

It’s the second day of our analysis of the celebration of New Years and today we are focusing on Denmark and the traditional ways in which New Years is celebrated there. The wintry weather in Scandinavia during this time of year often spills over to New Years, resulting in a celebration similar to that of Christmas. Here’s what to expect if you’re celebrating New Year’s in Denmark.

A traditional belief in Denmark is that smashing plates and other pieces of china on people’s doorsteps ensures that they will have a successful year full of social benefits and newfound friendships. This particular routine is carried out at both midnight and throughout New Years Day itself.

In addition, Denmark highlights the New Years Eve celebrations by baking a huge cake known as a Kransekage. This cone-shaped cake is decorated and eaten as a dessert by those who attend the specific event. It is often accompanied by miniature flags, candles and other dramatic decorations to help liven up and represent the day.

If you know someone who requires a gift sent to Denmark in 2014, RAND Logistics can offer you an outstanding shipping service. Have a look at our shipping rates and get yourself a quote today.

New Years Across the World #1

Posted on December 30, 2013 by admin

It’s the final week of 2013 and the start of a brand new year, so what better way to represent the huge event than to analyse how it’s celebrated across the globe. Many countries have their own distinct ways of celebrating New Years and the first country we are focusing on is Japan.

The Japanese believe that New Years Eve welcomes the God of the New Year, Toshigami. The Buddhist temples across the country symbolise the arrival of the New Year at midnight by ringing the temple bells 108 times precisely. This is seen as a fitting way of welcoming Toshigami and the start of a new year.

With Buddhists welcoming their New Year’s God, the rest of Japan treats the occasion as any other special event. Cards and gifts may be exchanged between friends, family and loved ones, whilst many people will give their homes a thorough clean in preparation for the New Year in a traditional manner. The cards that are exchanged are often a particular form of thank you card that acknowledges the affection shown throughout the year.

If you want to send a parcel to Japan in time for New Years, RAND Logistics can help. Take a look at our services and get a quote for the shipping of your New Years gift today.

RANDlogistics

RANDlogistics and industry news

Tag Archives: asia