How to Celebrate Chinese New Year at Home: 11 Simple Ideas
When I was a child, the day I looked forward to most in a year was the Spring Festival. Because at that time, I could see all the people I wanted to see, eat various delicious foods, wear beautiful new clothes, and receive a lot of red envelopes. Today I want to share: How to celebrate the Chinese New Year at home?
Post Spring Festival couplets and the character "Fu"
Spring Festival couplets are an essential element of the Chinese New Year.
You can buy ready-made Spring Festival couplets or write them yourself.
Spring Festival couplets are generally divided into the upper couplet, the lower couplet and the horizontal scroll. The upper couplet is pasted on the right side of the door, the lower couplet is pasted on the left side of the door, and the horizontal scroll is pasted on the top of the door.
The character "Fu" can be pasted upside down on the door or window, implying that "fortune has arrived".
For example, the classic Spring Festival couplet "Smooth sailing every year, all the best and rising step by step" expresses good wishes for the new year. When posting, pay attention to fixing it well with glue or tape to avoid falling.
Hang lanterns
Lanterns can create a strong festival atmosphere.
You can choose traditional red round lanterns or lanterns with zodiac patterns or other auspicious patterns. Hang lanterns at the door, living room or balcony.
If it is an electronic lantern, it can also be lit up to make the home full of festive light at night.
Some lanterns with lantern riddles can also add fun. The whole family sits around and guesses lantern riddles, which is quite interesting.
Place flowers and green plants
Narcissus is a common flower in the Chinese New Year. It has white flowers and a fragrant smell, implying good luck and happiness. Put narcissus in a conspicuous place such as the coffee table or windowsill in the living room to make the home full of vitality.
Kumquat tree is also a good choice. The golden fruits symbolize wealth and good luck. It can be placed at the door or in the corner of the living room. Moreover, kumquats can also be eaten, adding a sweetness to the new year.
Family cleaning
Before the Chinese New Year arrives, organize the whole family to carry out a family cleaning, cleaning up the dust and sundries at home, implying bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new year.
Food preparation
Traditional New Year's Eve dinner
New Year's Eve dinner is the highlight of the Chinese New Year. The family sits around a table and shares delicious food.
Dumplings: Dumplings are the staple food for the Spring Festival in the north. You can prepare multiple fillings, such as pork and scallions, leek and eggs. The family sits around and makes dumplings, which is very harmonious. When making dumplings, you can also put coins in a few dumplings. Whoever eats them implies that there will be good luck in the new year.
Braised fish: Fish is an essential dish for New Year's Eve dinner. Because "fish" is homophonic with "surplus", it symbolizes having more than enough every year. Fry the fish until golden on both sides, add seasonings such as soy sauce, sugar and vinegar to cook, and it tastes delicious.
New Year cake: It has a beautiful meaning of getting higher every year. It can be original flavor or with fillings such as red dates and bean paste. Cut the New Year cake into slices, fry until golden on both sides, and sprinkle with sugar. The taste is soft, glutinous and sweet.
Snacks
Candied melon: Candied melon is a traditional Chinese candy with a sweet and crispy taste. It is an offering for sacrificing to the Kitchen God and can also be served as snacks for guests.
Nuts platter: Mix nuts such as peanuts, melon seeds, cashews and almonds and put them in a beautiful plate. Nuts are rich in nutrition. The family can eat and chat while sitting around.
The whole family watches the Spring Festival Gala
The whole family watches the Spring Festival Gala together and enjoys a happy time. The Spring Festival Gala is one of the important programs of the Lunar New Year. It combines various art forms such as singing and dancing, sketches and cross talks, bringing laughter and touch to the audience.
Stay up late on New Year's Eve
On New Year's Eve, the family gets together and stays up late to welcome the arrival of the new year. The family can sit around and chat, sharing experiences of the past year and expectations for the new year.
In order to make staying up late on New Year's Eve more ceremonial, you can prepare some small activities such as playing poker and playing chess. At the same time, you can also prepare some small snacks and hot drinks to make the process of staying up late on New Year's Eve more warm.
Lucky money
Elders give lucky money to juniors, implying peace, auspiciousness, health and longevity. Lucky money can be put in red envelopes and given to children or young people.
Pay a New Year call
During the New Year, pay a New Year call to elders and relatives and friends and send New Year wishes. You can pay a remote New Year call through phone, video or social media to express your feelings.
Sacrifice to ancestors
Set up a simple sacrificial table at home, put photos of ancestors and offerings (such as fruits, flowers, pastries, etc.) on it, and then light incense and candles to express remembrance and gratitude to ancestors. The sacrificial process should be solemn and solemn. This is also a way to inherit traditional Chinese culture.
Set off firecrackers and fireworks (pay attention to safety)
In areas where it is allowed, you can set off firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Firecrackers bid farewell to the old year, and fireworks bloom to welcome the new spring. If setting off firecrackers is not allowed, you can choose substitutes such as electronic firecrackers.
