For Chinese New Year, people decorate their homes with festive decorations typically in red. Red is the colour of prosperity and good luck in Chinese culture and it is often the main colour of choice in decorations.
Items like paper lanterns, red ribbons and banners, lucky money envelopes, wreaths of lucky bamboo, dragon and lion figurines, flower arrangements, Chinese knots, and New Year couplets are popular decorations.
It is also common for families to decorate the front of their homes with red decorations and symbols such as painting the door red, creating traditional Chinese calligraphy designs, and affixing decorations like a jade or red lux (a Chinese clock).
It is popular to also make up red packets, also known as ‘hóngbāo’ which are gold-printed, red paper packets filled with money, coins and tokens. These are given to family members, friends, and employees as a sign of good luck and wealth in the upcoming year.
How do Chinese decorate their homes?
Chinese homes are typically decorated with a variety of pieces that represent their culture and heritage. These elements often come together to create a cheerful and vibrant atmosphere. Many homes display traditional items such as red paper decorations for luck and good fortune, paper or wooden lanterns, and calligraphy scrolls.
Often, these items will be hung from the ceiling or displayed in frames.
Additionally, Chinese people often use floral displays to set the mood of a room. This could include Chinese vases with flowers in them, or displays with artificial or dried arrangements of peonies, chrysanthemums, and lotus flowers.
These represent different meanings of strength and beauty.
Apart from these, many Chinese people use furniture that is simple and unadorned, making use of dark wood such as mahogany or rosewood for the framing and legs. These pieces of furniture often feature intricate carvings and details, which reflects the intricate craftsmanship associated with the culture.
Finally, it is not uncommon to find marble furniture and stone carvings in Chinese homes. These pieces often stand out as a centerpiece of a room and are made inlaid with intricate designs. Chinese people are often very proud of these pieces and take a lot of time and effort to maintain them.
What do you put on table for Chinese New Year?
The foods you serve for Chinese New Year depend on your traditions and personal preference. Traditionally, many families will serve fish, as it symbolizes a traditional “surplus,” meaning that the household will continue to have more than enough for the rest of the year.
Additionally, many households will also offer dumplings, made from either pork or vegetable fillings. These are often served in the shape of the Chinese character for “wealth” to promote good fortune in the upcoming year.
Other traditional foods for the new year celebration might include pork dishes, noodles, which symbolize long life and Chinese-style vegetables in the New Year’s meal, such as pickled cabbage, bamboo shoots, and winter melon, a type of squash.
Foods that are red or gold in color generally mean good luck, so you may want to include red dates, melon seeds, lotus seeds, and other dried fruits to bring joy to the family in the new year. Finally, sweets and desserts are served to bring happiness and a sweet start to the new year.
What are Chinese New Year decorations?
Chinese New Year decorations are traditionally used to bring good luck and fortune to the home in the upcoming New Year. These decorations usually feature bright colors, such as the classic red, as this is a color that symbolizes luck and joy and is believed to ward off evil spirits.
Chinese New Year decorations commonly include red lanterns and banners that feature auspicious Chinese symbols like dragons, Chinese knots, and good luck words. Paper cutouts, either hung from the ceiling or stuck to windows, are also common.
Classical plants and flowers, like plum blossom and peach blossom, can also be found in many households during Chinese New Year, as they symbolize luck and prosperity. Finally, people will also give each other red envelopes filled with money as gifts.
Are you supposed to clean your house on Chinese New Year?
It is not necessary to clean your house on Chinese New Year, as it is traditionally seen as bringing bad luck. However, it is important to keep your house tidied and organized in order to make room for new opportunities and prosperity throughout the coming year.
Thus, in some traditional Chinese households, a thorough house cleaning is performed before Chinese New Year to symbolize a fresh start. In other households, the act of lighting incense, hanging red lanterns, or buying new, brightly-colored curtains or decorations might be the only rituals done to signify the arrival of the Year of the Rat.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual family to decide how they wish to celebrate and usher in the new year.
What are some things you should not do on Chinese New Year?
One of the most important is to avoid any negative words or discussions. This is to avoid bringing any misfortune or bad luck into the new year. Additionally, it is important to not clean the house on Chinese New Year, as this is believed to sweep away good fortune for the upcoming year.
It is also important to avoid any cutting tools, such as scissors and knives as this could signify cutting away the luck for the new year. Additionally, avoid wearing black or white clothing as this could bring bad luck.
Lastly, you should avoid taking medication and eating unhealthy food, such as raw meat, during Chinese New Year, as this could signify bad health for the upcoming year.
Can you shower during Chinese New Year?
Yes, you can shower during Chinese New Year celebrations. Although the Chinese New Year festival is a period of joy and festivities, it is also a period of high stress and tension as families and friends come together for the celebration and to exchange presents.
So, even during this time it’s important to remember to look after yourself and practice good hygiene. Taking a shower is a great way to relax and de-stress after a long day of celebrations. It’s also important during the festivities to make sure that you are eating healthily and staying hydrated, both of which will help you cope better with the long day ahead.
How do you celebrate Chap Goh Mei?
Chap Goh Mei, also known as the Chinese Lantern Festival, marks the final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It is celebrated on the last day of the Chinese lunar calendar—the 15th day of the New Year.
A number of customs and traditions form part of the festivities for Chap Goh Mei.
The most important activity is the launching of lanterns when it gets dark. Usually, red and white paper lanterns are strung together and sent off into the night sky, accompanied by a prayer of good fortune.
This is seen as less of a decoration and more as a way to symbolically free oneself of negative energy, curses and bad luck. Another key element of the ceremony is the writing of Chinese poetry or wishes on a piece of paper which is then tied to the lanterns and set off into the night sky.
Aside from the main festival activities, many people opt for traditional snacks, like sweet rice dumplings, as well as foods like sesame balls which are believed to bring good luck. It is customary for children to receive ‘ang pow’ from relatives, which are packets of red money packets presented according to traditional customs.
No matter how the festival is celebrated, Chap Goh Mei is an important day in the Chinese calendar whereby families come together to send off their best wishes and good fortunes into the night sky!
How do I decorate my home for CNY?
If you’re looking to decorate your home for Chinese New Year (CNY), there are lots of festive decorations and ideas out there to choose from. Here are some tips for getting your home ready for the holiday:
1. Use Bold and Bright Colors. Candy-apple red, bright yellow, and other bold colors are traditional symbols of prosperity, good luck, and joy associated with CNY. Decorate your walls and furniture with these colors, use vibrant statement pieces like cushions, vases, and artwork, and adorn all the surfaces with festive decorations like paper lanterns.
2. Look Beyond the Main Rooms. Don’t limit your decorations just to the living room and dining room – think about every room in the house and make them all look festive. You can add a few decorations like ornaments, paper doilies, wreaths, and banners to other areas of the house like the hallways and bedrooms.
3. Buy Traditional Decorations. Nothing says “Chinese New Year” like traditional decor! Pick up some paper cutouts of red Chinese characters, or even some kumquat trees or peach blossoms. You can also use Chinese coins, porcelain figurines, and other traditional Chinese decorations to spruce up your home.
4. Display Family Photos. Apart from the decorations, it’s also traditional to display photos of family members during CNY. Place photos of your relatives and loved ones around the house to commemorate them and invite their presence into your home.
5. Enjoy the Festival of Lights. A great way to decorate for CNY is by hanging lit lanterns and strings of lights. Get your home sparkly for the festivities by hanging strings of colored lights, paper lanterns, or even traditional Chinese lamps.
7. Add some Tasteful Greenery. For extra symbolic luck, consider putting up a few plants and trees into your home. This could be anything from bamboo, potted orchids, or even small oranges.
These decorations and ideas will instantly transform your home into the perfect CNY celebration. All that’s left is to get your home spotless and welcoming before the festivities begin!
How do you make red packets with CNY decorations?
Making red packets with CNY decorations is a very traditional and fun way to share some luck during Chinese New Year. To make your own, you’ll need to begin by gathering some supplies:
– Red packet envelopes, which you can purchase from any Chinese grocery store or online.
– Some CNY decorations, such as Chinese knots, calligraphy, lanterns and Asian-inspired images.
– A printer, if you want to print out your own designs.
– Some thin pieces of cardboard, if you’re using intricate decorations like Chinese knots.
– Glue, scissors and any other equipment you may need.
Once you have all the supplies, you can begin to assemble your red packets. You can start by printing out any designs that you want on your packets, such as calligraphy or lanterns, or you can use the traditional decorations.
If you’re using intricate decorations like Chinese knots, you can glue them onto thin cardstock before cutting them out and sticking them onto the packet. You can also add smaller decorations like Asian-inspired images by using some quality glue.
Finally, fold the packet up, add some cash and you’re done! Making your own red packets with CNY decorations is a great way to celebrate the Chinese New Year and wish your loved ones luck for the coming year.
How do you make Chinese red envelopes with lanterns?
Making Chinese Red Envelopes with Lanterns can be a fun activity for all ages! To begin, cut a sheet of red construction paper into rectangles. Each rectangle should be about 4 inches by 6 inches in size.
Take each of the rectangles and fold them in half. Now, cut out a small rectangle in one of the corners. This will be used to thread a ribbon or string through. Next, trace a lantern shape onto a piece of cardstock or craft foam.
Cut out the lantern and use glue to secure it onto the front side of the red envelope. The lantern should take up the majority of the envelope front page. Decorate the lantern with any other designs of your choice.
Now, thread the ribbon or string through the little corner you created at the beginning and tie a knot at the end. Once that is complete, your Chinese Red Envelopes with Lanterns are finished!.
What do you do with red packets?
Red packets or money wrapped in red envelopes are traditional gifts given out during Chinese New Year and other festive celebrations. They are also known as “lucky money” and often contain amounts of money inside that symbolize luck and prosperity.
Generally, when red packets are given out, they are meant to be used or saved by the recipient, often during the Chinese New Year period.
Traditionally, these gifts are given from elders to the younger generation as a sign of their love and care. However, more recently, the giving of red packets has become more universal, with people of all ages exchanging them.
When receiving red packets, it is customary for the recipient to thank the giver for their generosity. Depending where you live, there may be practices that accompany the giving of red packets, such as bowing or kneeling on one knee.
As for what to do with the money inside the red packet, it is up to the recipient to decide. Some people choose to save the money or use it towards a special purchase, while others choose to spend it on everyday items.
What’s important is that the gift of money is appreciated and the tradition of exchanging red packets is kept alive.
What can you put on a red envelope besides money?
You could put a special note or a heartfelt letter expressing your admiration or appreciation. Alternatively, you could add small tokens or trinkets like key chains, earrings, pins, special coins, or pictures of the person the envelope is for.
Other items like gift cards, tickets to a concert or event, jewelry, chocolates, beauty products, or simply a lovely card expressing a meaningful message could also be tucked inside the envelope.
How do you make a lucky money envelope?
Making a lucky money envelope is a fun and creative way to give money as gifts and prizes! Here are the simple steps to making your own lucky money envelope:
1. Start with a sheet of red, paper. Red symbolizes luck, wealth, and joy in many cultures.
2. Fold the sheet in half and crease the edges with your fingertips.
3. Place a crisp bill inside the folded paper.
4. Place a few coins, both new and old, inside the folded paper. This is said to bring the receiver good luck.
5. Hold the two closed corners together and tuck them inside the other two corners to make an envelope form. The coins and bill should be inside this sealed envelope.
6. Cut two curved shapes, so that it looks like a fish or a butterfly, from the remaining red paper.
7. Glue the two cutouts onto the front of the envelope, completing the envelope.
8. Decorate the envelope with paint, glitter, and stickers to make it extra attractive.
There you have it! Your very own lucky money envelope is now complete and ready to give.
