Embrace the Essence of Chinese New Year: A Guide to Joyful Celebrations
Chinese New Year is associated with firecrackers, fireworks, red packets, lion dance, and oranges. It heralds moments of family reunions, venerating deities and ancestors, indulgent feasts, spirited gift exchanges, and festive celebrations. If the preparations for your Chinese New Year celebration seem a bit daunting, and uncertainties about the dos and don'ts linger, read on for insights to elevate your festive experience.
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No.
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Custom and Activity
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Day 1
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People are to set off firecrackers to chase off bad spirits, receive red packets from parents, watch the lion dance and eat reunion dinner
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Day 2
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Welcome sons-in-law when married daughters come back home to visit their birth parents
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Day 5
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Honor the God of Wealth, for good fortune to come. Also, to sweep the floor and empty the rubbish bins to remove poverty from the house.
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Day 6
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A day to discard ragged and old clothes, clean out the garage and other dirty things around the house to send off the ghost of poverty.
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Day 7
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“Human Day”, some will celebrate today as everyone’s birthday and eat qi bao geng (a thick vegetable soup with seven type of vegetables), longevity noodles and yu san (raw fish salad)
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Day 9
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It’s the birthday of Jade Emperor. Chinese should prepare food and incense on Day 8 and place them on the offering table. They will start honoring at midnight till morning. Fire crackers, lanterns, burning of all offerings and feast of food for the whole Day 9.
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Day 15
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Lantern festival. On this day, families gather and eat tangyuan for reunion and get out of the house for lantern riddle game.
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Chinese New Year Calendar
Chinese New Year dates vary each year, it usually falls within January 21st to February 20th in Gregorian calendar.
10th February 2024, Saturday 🐉
29th January 2025, Wednesday🐍
17th February 2026, Wednesday🐎
7th February 2027, Monday 🐑
No Housework on 1st Day of CNY🧹
Cleaning of trash and dust are said to be sweeping the good fortune away. Also, hair in Chinese is pronounced as Fa, same as Facai; getting rich. Hence, washing your hair means washing away your prosperity and wealth for the new year.
Exchange Oranges🍊
When visiting houses, bring a pair of mandarin oranges to exchange with the host as a gesture of wishing luck and wealth to the recipient. In Cantonese, this gesture is known as 'song gam' which means "giving gold". Together with a pair of orange, it doubles the prosperity exchanged, "shuang xi" in Chinese.
Hanging '福' Upside Down for Fortune🧧
"福"couplet is believed to attract good fortune and luck by hanging it upside down. With "倒" sounding the same as "到" (meaning of arrive), it being upside down means your fortune has arrived.
Choose the Right Gift
✅Liquors, Tea, Fruits, Healthcare products and Red packets
⛔Clock, Umbrella, Shoes, Chrysanthemums and sharp items
Avoid gifting items that bear negative meanings in Chinese culture. For example, "giving a clock" sounds like "attending a funeral ritual" in Mandarin.
Choose Even Number, Avoid Odd Number
In Chinese culture, the belief in the auspicious nature of pairs extends to gift-giving. For instance, when presenting red packets, it is customary for the amount of money inside to be an even number, such as $8, $10, or $88. However, the number 4 is consciously avoided due to its phonetic resemblance to the word "death" (si), making it the least favored choice. This practice reflects the significance of symmetry and positive symbolism in Chinese customs.
Selecting the Right Colors for New Year's Gift
✅Red, Yellow and Gold ⟶ Symbolize wealth and prosperity
⛔White, Black and Blue ⟶ Symbolize funeral and death
⛔Green ⟶ Has the meaning of "戴绿帽" being cheated by their partners
To avoid such awkward and misunderstand to start of with, it’s best to stay away from these colours.
Floral Elegance for Prosperity
Consider gifting flowers with symbolic significance. In Chinese Culture, certain flowers are associated with good fortune. Peonies, for example, symbolize wealth and honor, while chrysanthemums represent longevity. A bouquet of these flowers can add a touch of elegance and meaningful symbolism to the festivities. Explore Xpressflower's exquisite collection of flowers.
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Gourmet Delights for the Festive Feast
Elevate the celebratory feasts with Xpressflower's gourmet food hampers featuring a delightful assortment of traditional treats and auspicious snacks, symbolizing abundance and good luck.
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Traditional Treasures for the Home
Elevate the heart of the household with the gift of tea wares that exude timeless elegance. Consider beautifully crafted tea sets adorned with intricate patterns, embodying the rich cultural heritage of CNY
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Wellness and Relaxation
Consider gifts that promote well-being, such as scented candles, essential oils, or spa sets, offering a serene escape for the family amidst the festive hustle and bustle.
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# Cheap CNY Goodies 🥠
Discover budget-friendly Chinese New Year goodies in the northern region at DJ Bakery's exclusive factory in Woodlands. Located at 6 Woodlands Terrace, S738431, they offer a variety of traditional treats like cookies, egg rolls, and fried fish skin at competitive prices, only $11 compared to others at $15++. Take advantage of their wholesale prices for budget-friendly snacking.
# Affordable Nail Art 💅
Embrace the pampering journey at Nail Social, where the medicure session, though thorough, is an opportunity for relaxation. They provide iPads to enhance your experience, ensuring your time is enjoyable and well-spent. With non-toxic, eco-friendly products and no additional fees before CNY, treat yourself to a rejuvenating session at this affordable and high-quality nail shop located at 42A Haji Lane S189235.
# CNY Clothing 👗
Revamp your Chinese New Year OOTD with stunning cheongsams and on-trend outfits. If you're seeking a one-stop shop for various styles, consider browsing on Taobao. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find that many clothing stores in Singapore offer identical Taobao clothes but at higher prices. Taobao proves to be your affordable and convenient shopping platform for this CNY season. Elevate your wardrobe without breaking the bank!