Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a time for reunions with family and friends. After all, they are the most important part of your life.
CNY reunion activities with the family are one of the common things to do at gatherings or celebrations for Chinese families, especially for families that live far away from each other. The reunion spans the three days of Chinese New Year which most people travel home to spend time with family members and elders.
During CNY, the children may be asking questions like what are all these people doing on the streets? Why do we have to visit so many relatives? How come they keep talking about money? I bet you have many CNY stories to tell, but as parents, we sometimes don’t know how to explain in their level of understanding.
So how would you explain the importance of these reunion celebrations to the younger generation? What does it mean for them when everyone is talking about gong xi fa cai?
This article will tell you how to plan and include activities for CNY by going back to yearly traditions and make impact on your family while honoring the Chinese culture.
1. Reunion Dinner
The Chinese New Year dinner also referred to as the "Reunion Dinner", called tuan nien fan or nian ye fan in Chinese, is perhaps the most loved aspect of the Spring Festival. It takes place on Chinese New Year's Eve and is an opportunity for families and friends to get together, share a meal, and wish each other good fortune.
Whether you're in Singapore, Malaysia or China, a reunion dinner is not complete without a steamboat feast. And the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to steamboats is the delicious food cooked in them! You can add all sorts of ingredients into your pot, such as tofu puffs, fish balls, enoki mushrooms and many more!
Steamboats are also known for their unique shapes, which makes them ideal for serving different types of foods at once. This makes it easier for everyone to share food from one pot! The good news is, The Plate Story offers sustainable and stackable steamboat bundles with free Lou Hei Platter this CNY 2023! A good bundle that signifies both fortune and strong connection.
2. Giving Housewarming Gifts
One of the most popular gifts that people give during Chinese New Year is housewarming gifts. In Chinese culture, it's common to give gifts to family members after dinner as a way of saying thank you for hosting such a wonderful meal.
It's also an old tradition that when someone moves to a new house, he or she will move in during the week before the Chinese New Year. So it's actually quite common for people to move into their new homes during this time of year.
It can be difficult to find the right gift when you're shopping online because there are so many options out there! There are several varying stone materials, home decor items, and kitchen appliances to pick from. With so many options out there, how can you tell what's a better deal? Or if it's even worth your money? That is why we have the best housewarming gift that is convenient and useful!
If you're looking for something that will show your appreciation while also being functional, consider choosing our Avon Set which comes in 8/12/16 pcs set. And guess what? It's 30% off when you purchase a minimum worth of $25 on our website!
3. Giving Red envelope - Ang Pao Exchange
In China, giving red envelopes is a symbol of luck and prosperity. The red color represents good luck, while the amount of money in the envelope represents wealth.
Giving a Red envelope or Ang Pao is a traditional way of giving money to friends and family during the Chinese New Year. It's a way to give thanks and express appreciation for the people that you love. This tradition is also a way to show you care about someone's well-being by giving them money- a bonus for good luck, health and prosperity.
4. Watch Fireworks At Midnight
It's not one of the biggest celebrations in the world without fireworks!
The year of the Water Rabbit will begin on January 22, and it is with no doubt celebrated with a bang. People gather around to watch fireworks light up the sky at midnight. It's a great time to spend with family and friends, whisper luck, and reflect.
5. Watch the Lion and Dragon dance
The Lion and Dragon dances are quintessential Chinese New Year celebrations. The lion dance is performed at many Chinese New Year celebrations and other events, especially during the Spring Festival. The lion represents power and strength, so it's no wonder why this dance became popular in Chinese culture.
The other tradition you may have heard of is the Dragon Dance. This involves dancers wearing large dragon costumes and performing a choreographed dance with their dragons along to music. In Chinese culture, dragons are symbols of good luck, so they're often depicted as being benevolent creatures who want only to bring joy to humans—a sentiment reflected in this celebratory dance!
As the Chinese saying goes, "As long as there is family, there is happiness." So if you are planning activities to do with your relatives this festive season, don't forget to share the joy and happiness with everyone. And when you want to reminisce about the value of these traditions, our article should have given you important points on how to explain them to the younger generation without a hitch.
If you find this article helpful, don’t forget to share this with your friends so they’ll also have the most memorable Chinese New Year with the family! And that’s not it! This Chinese New Year, you can stand a chance to win $100 ANG PAO from The Plate Story! For every purchase worth $20, you will be entitled to an entry at our lucky draw that will be held on January 25, 2023 through our social media accounts.
You can view our Sustainable Longevity Melamineware Collection here.