Tips for hosting Lunar New Year celebrations

Lunar New Year, as the name suggests, marks the beginning of a new year based on the cycles of the moon. It’s a time for families to come together. We’ve put together some quick tips for hosting a fun and festive gathering to welcome the Year of the Tiger. 

Clean

Decorate your home in red 

Before Lunar New Year, people will typically clean their entire home to sweep away the bad luck of the current year. Ensure that you remove any rubbish from your home before Lunar New Year as well. All kinds of cleaning, even daily tasks like doing the dishes, are forbidden on the first day of Lunar New Year. When your guests arrive, you may also want to have them remove their shoes at the door to ensure a clean transition into the new year. 

Red symbolises good luck in Chinese culture, which is why it is traditionally the main colour used when it comes to decorating for lunar new year celebrations. A red tablecloth, chopsticks and plates are must-haves for any tablescape. To add some extra pizzazz to your decorative dinner table, use red napkins as well as lanterns.

Many Lunar New Year decorations will also include gold accents, as the colour represents wealth, good fortune and prosperity. You can pair this with another Lunar New Year tradition of writing messages of good luck to all of your guests. Use red paper and a gold pen to wish good luck and prosperity to your loved ones, and then leave these messages around your home where your guests can find them. 

Set up your red envelopes before guests arrive 

Red envelopes with money inside are a traditional Chinese Lunar New Year gift given to children and unmarried adults. The significance of the gift lies in the red paper used to create envelopes, as it is believed to make money lucky and to bestow happiness and blessings on those who receive it. Before your guests arrive, you may want to place red envelopes on place settings, or put them in a safe place to give out during celebrations. 

Create your menu 

The most important part of any celebration is undoubtedly the food. To save yourself from stress, prepare the menu for your event well ahead of time. Common foods eaten throughout Lunar New Year include dumplings, spring rolls, longevity noodles, steamed fish and vegetarian stir fry. Deserts during Lunar New Year often incorporate oranges and tangerines, as these represent wealth, luck and happiness. Fortune cookies and Chinese almond cookies are also Lunar New Year staples. 

With the lunar new year right around the corner, it’s time to start clearing out the bad energy of 2021 and welcome all the strength and positivity of the Year of the Tiger in 2022. 

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