1 . Some Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and it’s a special day for showing some gratitude and appreciation to mothers worldwide for raising and caring for their children. Naturally there are a lot of potential gifts out there for the occasion to choose from, so we’ve put together some thoughtful gifts you can send.

This scrabble frame offers a more personal and alternative touch for Mother’s Day, with a simple but thoughtful message. You can also customise the names on the pieces to your own family names.

Sometimes a small and simple gift can do just the trick, so if you wanted to go that route, this Katie Loxton pouch would be a great choice. It’s made from vegan leather and carved with “Wonderful Mum” on its front. It’s pocket-sized and can also handily fit in a handbag as an option for carrying small items.

Spring is in the air and so are the fragrances that are commonly associated with it. Presented in a lovely, brightly-coloured bottle and also diamond-shaped cap, this Jimmy Choo fragrance is a great gift for Mother’s Day and the blossoming of a new season, with its sweet and warm floral scents.

If your mum is into crafts, needling or is a plant lover, then this is the perfect gift for her. Made from cotton, beech wood and recycled plastic, it’s a punch needle kit ideal for hanging on a wall or help decorate a table stand with its nature themed fern look. Every gift is wrapped in recyclable packaging as well. Included inside is: the needle fabric, a model design, and detailed needling instructions for beginners.

2 . A bronze horse head sculpture, a treasure of China’s Old Summer Palace that went missing 160 years ago, returned to its original palace home Tuesday. It is the first time that a priceless cultural artifact from the Old Summer Palace has been sent from abroad and then returned to be kept there.

Twelve animal head sculptures once formed a zodiac (生肖) water clock in Beijing’s Yuanmingyuan, built by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. The originals were looted (抢劫) from the royal garden by Anglo-French allied forces in 1860 during the second Opium War.

Macao billionaire Stanley Ho bought the bronze horse head and decided to donate it to the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) and return it to its original home. The NCHA has spent one year refurbishing (刷新) the old Zhengjue Temple, the main place of worship for Qing Dynasty emperors in the garden, to an exhibition venue.

An exhibition in memory of the return of the horse head has kicked off at the temple, displaying about 100 items including relics and photographs. “The horse head sculpture was returned to its original palace home amid the challenges brought by COVID-19,” said an official. “It also led to an all-round upgrade of security at the Old Summer Palace, which allows for long-term exhibitions.”

“There is international consensus (共识) on returning lost cultural relics to their original homes, and China’s efforts to bring relics home in recent years have enhanced that consensus,” he added.

3 . Cultural heritage is an essential part of our identity, history and traditions. It includes buildings, monuments, artworks, books, music and other artefacts.    1    . However, the preservation of cultural heritage is not always guaranteed, and many valuable pieces have been lost or destroyed over time.

So, what can we do to protect our cultural heritage? The first step is to raise awareness about its importance. People need to understand that cultural heritage is not just a collection of old things.     2    . We should appreciate and respect it, and encourage others to do so as well.

Another way to protect cultural heritage is through legislation.     3    . They can also provide funding for restoration and maintenance projects, and impose penalties on those who damage or destroy cultural heritage.

Education plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. Schools and universities can teach students about the value of cultural heritage and how to care for it     4    .

Technology can be a useful tool in protecting cultural heritage. Digitization allows us to preserve and share cultural artefacts with a wider audience, while also reducing the risk of damage or loss. Virtual reality can also be used to recreate historical sites and buildings, allowing people to experience them in a new and immersive way.

    5    . By raising awareness, establishing laws, educating people and using technology, we can ensure that our cultural heritage is preserved for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

5 . Top 4 Traditional Festivals in China

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, falls on the first day of the first lunar month. Chinese New Year is the most important festival in China. It is an important family reunion time for Chinese people around the world.

2022 Date: February 1 (Tuesday)

2023 Date: January 22 (Sunday)

The Lantern Festival, also known as Yuanxiao Jie or Shangyuan Festival, falls on the15th day of the first lunar month, it traditionally marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Tangyuan, also called yuanxiao, is a must-eat food for the Lantern Festival. Shaped like a round ball, tangyuan symbolizes people’s desires for happiness and family reunions. Besides eating tangyuan, Chinese people would also light colourful lanterns and guess lantern riddles to celebrate this festival.

2022 Date: February 15 (Tuesday)

2023 Date: February 5 (Sunday)

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Wu Jie in Chinese, falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Chinese people celebrate this festival by racing dragon boats, eating zongzi, drinking realgar wine, and hanging Chinese Mugwort to honour Qu Yuan.

2022 Date: June 3 (Friday)

2023 Date: June 22 (Thursday)

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Like the Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also an important time for family reunions. Chinese people would eat moon cakes, admire the full moon, and hang up colourful lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

2022 Date: September 10 (Saturday)

2023 Date: September 29 (Friday)