Preparing for Chinese New Year

by Yvonne Lau

Chinese New Year, traditionally called Chūn Jié 春節 or “Spring Festival” is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. 15 days long, it is a celebration of the renewal of life, a time for ritual and prayer, gatherings of family and friends, and the observance of traditions. Based on the lunar calendar, it tends to fall somewhere from the end of January through the middle of February. Lots of preparations are done before the holiday so let’s look at some of the more modern Chinese traditions you can follow for good health, happiness, and better fortune in the coming year!

Things to do before Chinese New Year

We recommend starting at least 3 weeks ahead because some tasks can be huge and time-consuming.

1. Get rid of clutter in your home and workspace. Physical clutter also clutters the mind and impedes the smooth flow of energy, or Qi, in you and your home. Try to only keep the things you love or are truly useful(not those skis you haven't used in 3 years, for example, or that singing Santa you'll never display again).
2. Deep clean. Cleaning your home ensures better health and can be deeply satisfying. Clean fridge shelves/drawers, wash windows, clean air ducts, clear sink drains, etc. Some believe that a home can reflect (and affect) the health of its inhabitants. Having clear, good flowing ducts, drains, pipes, gutters, etc. encourages better Qi flow generally, and clogged things supposedly obstruct digestion, cause irregular menstruation, and lead to general stagnation in the body, especially of the primary adults in the household.

1. Organize and put things in their proper place, from furniture to small items like items in your medicine cabinet, vanity cabinets and junk drawers.. Not only will you feel and move around better in your space, but with everything in its proper place you’ll be able to find it when you need it and be less annoyed!
2. Donate things you don’t need to make room for things you do (keeping in mind that you might not need any more stuff anyway). There are plenty of good causes to donate your items to, or post them on neighborhood "Buy Nothing" boards. Someone will find it useful and it'll create less waste!
3. Throw away/recycle broken things, especially chipped dishes and mugs. Superstition says it leads to “broken mouths” or arguments, but on a practical level no one wants to cut their lip or hands! Chinese superstition also says to get rid of torn or stained clothing before the new year, as it creates "Beggar's luck", so a more traditional Chinese Grandma would definitely frown on ripped jeans or tees, regardless of whether it's trendy!
4. Pay off debts. Whether it’s a credit card bill or the $20 you borrowed from your co-worker, start the year with a clean slate. Although China has embraced capitalism and huge amounts of business and mortgage loans exists, in fact the average person in China does not have a credit card and generally tend to be big savers.
5. Return borrowed items. Lawn mower, power tools, that crockpot—give them back. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s less clutter! In a culture where even luck can be "borrowed" from deities, traditional Chinese "repay" through offerings before the new year. Also, "going Dutch" is not part of Chinese culture, so friends and family will take turns paying for meals so as not to "owe" someone. This has changed somewhat with western influences, especially among young people.
6. Decorate your walls with inspiring art. Traditionally, lucky couplets were plastered on walls, doors and beside door frames, always in pairs. They blessed the household and were affirmations of protective and auspicious wishes. Modern word art basically does the same thing —just keep to positive, life-affirming messages and images!
7. Decorate your home with bright flowers for happy energy and dare we say it? -romance or “peach blossom luck”, as peach flowers are said to symbolize romance, prosperity and growth. However, traditionally peach blossoms are only recommended for single people.  It's believed that "peach blossom luck" for couples will lead to an affair.  Couples might want to stick to peonies, chrysanthemums(not white), and azaleas for domestic harmony.
8. Lay out auspicious foods, like oranges, pomelos, and tangerines for wealth and good fortune, roasted melon seeds, peanuts, and candied lotus seeds for fertility, and brightly wrapped chocolates and candy for sweet days ahead. We like to set up a tableau of auspiciousness and fill a traditional candy box (usually round or octagonal, called “Quan He“ 全盒 or “Togetherness Box”).
9. Get a new set of clothes to wear on New Year’s Day, preferably in bright, auspicious colors and/or motifs. Red is the fallback lucky color with blooming flowers, birds and bats being common motifs. Traditionally, folks also got a new set of pajamas to wear on New Year’s Eve as it was thought that having as many new things as possible brought more good luck and prosperity. And if you aren't inclined to buy new clothes before the new year, it's recommended that you buy new(not pre-owned) pants during the Spring Festival(the first 15 days of the new year) as "pants" are a homophone for wealth--so you're bringing in wealth to your home(regardless of what your credit card bill or bank account might say!). Conversely, traditional Cantonese folks will not buy new shoes during the Spring Festival because "shoes" are a homophone for a sigh of sadness or disappointment.
10. 
    Get a haircut Traditionally it was symbolic of cutting off any bad mojo from the current year, but why not look your best and put a spring in your step? The hair is cut usually within 3 weeks prior to Chinese New Year, so make that salon appointment today!
11. Get some cash. If planning to give away “Hong Bao” 紅包, or red envelopes containing a small cash gift, make a trip to the bank for crisp, new bills. Traditionally, marrieds give Hong Bao (in pairs) to children, but also to younger unmarried adult relatives and friends. Formerly married or widowed older folks also tend to continue giving out red envelopes, although usually just a single envelope.
12. Get your meds. Get your prescriptions filled and stock up on herbs and supplements. Traditional Chinese eschew going to the doctor and buying medicines during the Spring Festival, although acupuncture, massage and spa treatments are good if it's just for health maintenance and rejuvenation rather than to treat illness.

Things to do on New Year’s Eve

1. Enjoy a meal with your family. Traditionally, an empty chair at the table symbolizes a family member who can't make the dinner. The menu might include:
   • Whole fish. Because the Chinese word for fish sounds like the word for abundance. You should leave the head and tail on to be sure you get a good start and end to the year as well.
   • Dumplings and spring rolls. Both are said to look like gold ingots. The more you eat, the more wealth you’ll earn in the new year. If indulging like that, remember to take some Curing Pills!
   • Noodles. The traditional longevity noodle is a continuous looping strand, but eating any long noodle is believed to bestow a long life.
   • Oranges, tangerines, and pomelos. The Chinese names for oranges and tangerines are homophones for success and luck, while the word for Pomelo implies continuous prosperity.
2. Take a shower and wash your hair before 11pm (Chinese hours are measured in 2-hour increments, and “midnight” is actually 11pm-1am) to ensure that you've scrubbed away any old, bad luck and readily absorb all the good luck coming.
3. Turn on all the lights and open the windows and doors at “midnight” to let the energy of the old year flow out and to welcome in the new.
4. Light firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate if your area allows it. Otherwise, sparklers and noisemakers are fun too!

In ancient times, gathering with family, lighting lights and setting off firecrackers and fireworks were intended for self-protection against the dreaded “Nian” 年 monster. People stayed up the entire night to stand guard. Today, some still stay up the entire night, but usually to play mahjong and drinking games, and to enjoy some raucous karaoke!

Whatever traditions you follow, we wish you a happy new year filled with robust health, great luck and abundance in all good things!