Chinese New Year: Fair Warning

Here are 10 things you should do before and on Chinese New Year (Jan. 31), which heralds in the year of the Wood Horse. Explanations will be forthcoming on Friday, but for now, take my word and:

1. Clean your house before Thursday then put away all the cleaning stuff.
2. Don't get a haircut on Thursday.
3. Light some firecrackers on Thursday night.
4. Put kids to sleep as late as possible on Thursday night.
5. Toss broken pottery and dishes before Friday.
6. Don't tell ghost stories or swear on Friday.
7. Don't wash your hair on Friday.
8. Don't wear black on Friday.
9. Don't punish your children on Friday.
10. Wear red on Friday.

Superstitions, yes, but they've lasted for centuries, so just do it.