Activities to do for before Chinese New Year

Are you prepared for Chinese New Year?

Reunion Dinner

Reunion Dinner is a must for pre CNY celebration. This is highly considered to be the most important Dinner for the whole year for the Chinese Family.

The traditional fare includes dishes like fishes (年年有魚), fat Choy 發財, Hakka 釀豆腐, chicken and fish. Today, many families substitute these dishes with steamboat instead for easy preparations

Steamboat Reunion

Shou Sui 守岁 - Guarding of Age

Families would stay awake together to welcome the new year ahead. Traditionally it is said families stay awake to fend off the mythical beast call 'Nian' 年.

Shou Sui (Alternate Meaning)

It is also believed that children who Shou Sui will increase the longevity of their parents.

Decorate the house

Flowers, pussy willow and Chinese New Year ornaments in red and gold are commonly found in Chinese Households during Chinese New Year. This will beautify the house and create a 'fresh' look for the new year.

Switching on Lights at home

Lights around the house are supposed to be switch on throughout the night to ward off Nian 年 who is afraid of bright lights. Firecrackers were popular in the past (when it was allowed in Singapore) to start the year ( to scare off 年).

Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning is a must for the Chinese New Year eve. It signifies getting rid of bad luck to prepare the house to be filled with good luck for the next year. Do use this opportunity to fix the broken lights and other defects. Do not sweep the floors and or throw away thrash for the first few days of the new year. Otherwise, you will sweep away the good luck for the new year!

Buying new clothes

It is customary to wear new clothes for Chinese New Year. Buy red or in of red for the outfit. New clothes signify a fresh start while red means happiness. Get a haircut too to complete the look.

Wishing our readers a Happy Lunar New Year ahead.