It’s time for the most important celebration of the year on the Lunar calendar: Chinese New Year!
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and is steeped in traditions to welcome good fortune, happiness, and prosperity. Preparing your home for the festivities is a key part of ensuring a successful and auspicious year ahead. Here’s a guide to help you get your home ready for Chinese New Year.
A Spring Welcoming
Every superstitious Chinese person will tell you about the importance of spring cleaning, which must be performed before the eve of Chinese New Year. This tradition has several deep-rooted meanings, including disposing of bad luck and making room for good luck and new opportunities.
Sure, you may clean your home regularly, but chances are there are still nooks and crannies that get overlooked, such as ceiling fans, windows, and even ovens. Don’t forget to give your air conditioners a good cleaning too!
On a related note, the same superstitious Chinese person will also inform you about the no-nos during Chinese New Year. This includes the all-important rule of no sweeping floors or disposal of rubbish on the first day of the celebrations, as this is believed to be an act of sweeping or throwing out good luck.
Out With the Old
It’s hard to part with things, but take a leaf from Marie Kondo’s book, the tidying expert who took the world by storm. Her method doesn’t involve decluttering by room but by category, such as clothing, books, and items with sentimental value.
After you’re done with the first round of eliminating clutter, it’s time to cull even more by asking yourself if the items that have survived “spark joy.” If they don’t, into the bin they go!
If it seems like everything you touch brings you joy, stick to the basic rule of thumb: if you haven’t used an item for more than a year, you probably don’t need it. You can donate or upcycle things with life left, so you don’t feel as bad about banishing them from your house.
Huat’s Your Lucky Colour?
You don’t need to paint your walls red, but you can start by hanging couplets with prosperous messages or the Chinese character Fu (福) turned upside down—a clever wordplay meaning “your prosperity is here”. Remember to hang couplets in even-numbered groups, as odd numbers are linked to bad luck. Placing them on your door, along with red lanterns that are believed to ward off misfortune, is a great idea.
While at it, consider other red or gold accents for your home, such as cushion covers, tablecloths, and tissue box covers.
A Welcoming Space
Food for Thought
Now that the house is ready to welcome the new year, it’s time to think about stocking up on nibbles for your guests. Apart from the all-important kumquats and tangerines, do also include everyone’s favourite snacks such as bak kwa, pineapple tarts, and kueh bangkit.
A Grand Entrance
If you have time to visit a plant nursery before the festivities begin, consider getting some plants to brighten your doorway. Popular choices include the Celosia Plume, whose colourful flowers are said to resemble a phoenix’s tail, a mythical creature said to bring good fortune,and lucky bamboo, for obvious reasons!