Chinese New Year is one of the most fun holidays around. It’s a time to spend with family, eat good food, play games and watch fireworks! There are many ways to celebrate Chinese New Year, especially since it’s traditionally celebrated for 16 days – from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival.
While that may seem like a big commitment if you haven’t done it before, there are still plenty of fun and meaningful ideas you can try this year that don’t require you to spend the entire 16 days on it if you don’t want to.
1. Enjoy Festive Treats
Food has a big place when it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year. It’s a time that represents prosperity, good health, and good luck, and entertaining guests means you need to have plenty of delicious treats. Going for the evergreen traditional CNY goodies is a great way to enjoy the holiday, so you might want to stock up on pillow pineapple tarts, as well as the crowd’s favorite, kueh-lapis. Of course, if you’d prefer to get a cake as the dessert option, that’s fine as well. The main thing is to ensure you have enough to be able to indulge your heart’s desire no matter how many people drop by for a visit. This is a time of reconnecting with family and loved ones, and catching up on all the gossip, so you want to make sure you’re able to provide them with your very best.
2. Have A Tea Party
As you might already know, tea is an intrinsic part of Chinese culture, and the Chinese New Year is no exception. In fact, it’s customary for people to gather around on New Year’s Day so they can have tea together while enjoying each other’s company. This helps them welcome new beginnings. Organizing a tea party can be as simple as inviting a few family members over for a cup of tea while you talk about all the exciting things to come in the New Year. You might want to even check out some of the local tea shops for ideas on how to set up your own dining experience. The idea here is not so much about having a big feast, but rather spending time together, which really makes it more meaningful. It’s worth mentioning though, that according to Chinese tradition, offering a cup of tea to an older family member is seen as a sign of respect, which is highly encouraged.
3. Clean Up The House
While this may not seem like the most fun idea, it has a lot of symbolism in it. Traditionally, you’re supposed to clean your home thoroughly before New Year’s Eve. The reason behind it is so that you could metaphorically cleanse yourself from all the past negativity and make way for new things. You want to get rid of any clutter or rubbish in your home, sweep away all the dirt under the carpet, wipe down every surface until it’s shiny clean, and air out your house as well. However, once you’re done with that, you’re not supposed to clean for a few days. It’s thought that by cleaning and wiping down surfaces in your home, you could accidentally get rid of the new luck that’s coming in. It’s similar to the idea of letting go of things that are in the past that you can’t change, and embracing the possibilities that the future brings.
4. Put Up Decorations
It wouldn’t be much of a New Year’s Eve without some holiday decoration. Going for red ornaments, as red symbolizes “good luck” in Chinese culture is a great way to bring the lucky color all around. There are many fun ideas you can incorporate, including putting up red lanterns hanging outside your house or placing some decor on your dining table. You can even consider setting up your veranda with pretty lights! The idea behind this is that by brightening things up, you can attract more positive energy into your space. While this is just a simple way to celebrate the Chinese New Year, it’s also one that does not take up too much time or effort, making it perfect for those who want to experience the holiday cheer in a more laid-back way.
5. Lanterns And Fireworks
This is another important part of the CNY celebration, and it’s basically about watching fireworks. You can watch fireworks displays in your area or simply light up some yourself. It’s believed that the louder the firecrackers are, the more luck you’ll have the next year. One thing to keep in mind if you’re planning on having fireworks at home is that you need to be very careful with them since they can be dangerous. People will often set up their own little area where they can light up their firecrackers, so they won’t have to worry about being too close to people or buildings. As for the lanterns – some people prefer to light them and let them float down the river, a lake, or even a swimming pool to symbolize the bright future ahead, while others prefer the ones that fly up in the sky. It’s all up to you, and it can be a lot of fun either way!
6. New Year Shopping
Shopping for gifts, as well as clothes for yourself before the New Year is also something that’s very common. Not only does it allow you to get prepared for the festivities, but you can stock up on things that are great for the New Year as well. You might want to check out your local Chinatown if there is one in your area, or even go online to see what sorts of gifts you can get. It doesn’t have to be anything big, but it’s nice to give and receive tokens of love that can represent your appreciation for each other. Of course, you’ll need to buy lots of red envelopes. It’s a custom to give children money in red envelopes to wish them luck in the New Year, so you’ll need to stock up on those as well! As for the clothes – much like cleaning your home – wearing new items on New Year’s eve or on the first day itself can symbolize your willingness to receive good luck. Just make sure you don’t wear white, as it’s thought that this color will attract bad luck and bring about misfortune instead.
Whether you’re celebrating for the full 16 days or just want to do something simple, there are many ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year with your family and friends. It’s a good reminder that you should spend quality time with them during this special occasion, while also enjoying the fun festivals that are all around!
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