Top 10 Chinese New Year Activities

Chinese New Year is the most important festival for Chinese, and the most widely celebrated holiday in the world. With great passion, people observe this annual event with diverse activities, some of which are thousand-year-old traditions. Get the top 10 picks of the most popular Chinese New Year activities now.

 

From Dec. 23 in lunar calendar to Chinese New Year Eve, people carry out a complete sweeping of the house. People sweep the floor, furniture, and walls and throw away something old, which means to sweep away bad luck and welcome New Year. However, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, sweeping houses is never recommended because it means sweep away good luck and wealth of the New Year.

 

Shopping must be one of the grandest Chinese New Year activities. During this period, almost 10 days before New Year’s Eve, it’s common to see crowds in shopping malls and markets. People mainly buy new clothes, red decorations, meat, and snacks for their kids and firecrackers. Moreover, candies, peanuts and sunflower seeds are a must in the shopping list. It is now many people’s choice to go online shopping for convenience while the e-commerce companies launch a series of annually online New Year fair with big discounts.

A reunion dinner must be the most important and significant event for all Chinese. This is a gathering of all family members; no matter how far the distance to travel may be. Everyone tries their best to go back home to reunite with their family. Generally, all the dishes are homemade, and maybe the most abundant of the year. In addition, fish must be on the table, because the pronunciation of fish, yu, means ‘surplus’, in both home supply and wealth.
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Eating dumplings is an essential part of Chinese New Year activity. Dumplings, representing reunion, harmony and wealth in Chinese culture, are made with minced meat and vegetables wrapped in a round and elastic dumpling skin in the shape of Chinese silver ingot. Generally, almost each family member helps to make dumplings together and talk with each other at the same time. Minced pork, fish, diced shrimp, tofu and vegetables are most popular stuffing.

 

Red envelopes will be given to younger generation: this is a monetary gift from parents, grandparents and other relatives. The money in red envelopes must be new bills, and the amount usually varies from 100 to 1000. Some red envelopes might contain more especially in south China. Nowadays, lots of children use the money from their red envelopes to buy books and school supplies.

Spring Festival couplets are written in red paper with ink or gold paint, which originally was intended to scare away evil spirits. Chinese put up Spring Festival couplets on both sides of their gates to add to the festive atmosphere. Generally, people paste the upper scroll at first, then put up the lower scroll and horizontal scroll is put at last. In addition, Chinese like to paste the Chinese character Fu, which could be pasted normally or upside down, because, in Chinese culture, when inverted Fu foretells the arrival of good luck.
 Read more about How to Decorate for Chinese New Year.

 

As for the most popular Chinese New Year activities, setting off firecrackers is essential. Under normal conditions, Chinese stay up late till midnight and set off firecrackers to mark the New Year’s arrival and to scare away evil spirits. This is also to welcome the New Year. For safety reasons and environmental protection, large cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, forbid individuals setting off firecrackers. Public fireworks shows are the vogue, especially the Hong Kong CNY fireworks show at Victoria Harbour..

Watching CCTV's New Year Gala turns into a traditional Chinese New Year activity since 1983 till now. Cross talk, sketches, singing and dancing performances are always seen. The grand party starts at 8 pm on CNY eve and lasts till midnight. Usually, the song ‘Unforgettable Tonight’ brings CCTV’s New Year Gala to an end.

 

During the festival, Chinese like to send blessing messages to their relatives, friends, and colleagues through Wechat. People start to send blessing messages at 0:00 for expressing best wishes of the coming year. Besides, Chinese are likely to send voice massages, emoji package and videos through Wechat.

 

Starting from the second day of the Chinese New Year, people visit their relatives and friends to exchange best wishes with each other. According to traditional customs, married couples visit the wife’s parents on the second day of the New Year. When people visit relatives and friends, it’s polite to take gifts, such as local products and wines. In addition, newly-married couples and little kids could receive red envelopes from their elders.