"Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast" means that a warm, friendly, and hospitable gathering is more important for enjoyment than luxurious food or expensive entertainment.
It is a well known proverb attributed to William Shakespeare. The line originates from his play The Comedy of Errors (Act 3, Scene 1). In the play, it refers to making a joyful event despite meager food offerings.
- From online with editing
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Today is the 15th day of the first month of the lunar year, also known as 元宵节. I was searching for a suitable phrase for the festival, and stumbled on this one by the Bard of Avon.
Think about it, after so many years being abroad, I already feel and treat Christmas holiday as the main celebration time of the year. But I do put up the red lantern for the Chinese New Year, and keep the Xmas lights on till 正月十五, in addition to making dumplings.
I also make 汤圆 each year at this time. The pics below are the three types of 汤圆 I made yesterday (pink with meat filling, green with red bean paste, and brown with chocolate), to celebrate the occasion with you all. "Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast".
BTW, there is a celebration today organized by net-friends on WEC blog (you can click link here and watch: 2026年文学城王府元宵晚会, note there are two of us from MYSJ participating in the celebration).
Cheers!
1. The colourful dough (made with sticky rice flour, beet, spinach and coco powder)
2. The fillings
3. Ain't they good looking? :-)
4. Added (@ 3:30pm PST): just cooked them, and they are so so yummy!
