2) You greet your hosts, from oldest to youngest. When you do this, place both of your arms in front of you, with your palms facing upwards. If you are younger than the person you are greeting, put your arms under them. If you are older, they put their arms under yours. Then you ask them, “Amar baina uu?” (Are you at peace?). While you embrace, you also sniff each cheek (kind of like how you might kiss an older relative on their cheek).
3) Afterward, you sit around a table heaped with different kinds of food, including a tower of biscuit-like bread covered in candy and dried curd, and meat like beef or mutton. The host will then give you a bowl of suutei tsai (milk tea) to drink. Suutei tsai always has milk and tea in it, but many people also put salt or butter into their tea to thicken it up.
4) Often, older men will pass around ornamental snuff bottles for you to sniff as well (just the bottle, not the actual substance). When they pass them around, they might ask the question “How is your spring?” because Tsagaan Tsar marks the beginning of spring for Mongolians.
5) Eat buuz! Lots and lots of them. More suutei tsai is also served.
6) When you are full to the point of bursting, the host will usually give you a small present, like chocolate or a little money. After they give you a gift, you usually leave their home - but make sure to say Saikhan Shineleerei! (Happy New Year!).
7) Do the same thing at the next family’s house!
