Guide to Chinese New Year Traditions - Huat Do You Mean?
There's a unique buzz whenever Lunar New Year season rolls around. And true to the occasion are traditions that stick through the times.
The hustle and bustle of Chinatown, the boisterous Lion Dance troupes and the roars of well wishes 'Huat ah!'.
Here's our guide to popular traditions that you'd want to treasure, and how to go about fulfilling them a little differently this year.
Put a spring in your step
The act of spring cleaning in time for Chinese New Year involves sweeping away the bad luck, and welcoming good fortune. The more practical way of looking at this – you’re going to expect visitors whether you like it or not, and it’d be advisable to leave a good impression of your home.
In need of some sprucing up? Shop for your home fix needs at Spotlight, Plaza Singapura and Mr DIY, Westgate, or get your sheets together at the Linen Gallery, Lot One Shoppers’ Mall.
Shine bright like a gold bar, and paint the town Red
Nothing beats shopping for a new outfit in preparation of the multiple house visitations during the Lunar New Year. Light up the room by choosing clothes in bright colours with modern touches and pick sure-winners in the auspicious red hue. 👗
Discover a wide range of versatile apparel from Aldo’s exclusive Lunar New Year collection and Pazzion. Also, enjoy festive deals on the CapitaStar app with the likes of Playdress and Pedro.
For the ladies, complete your Chinese New Year #OOTD look by adding volume and shape to your tresses. If you’ve been eyeing that lustrous Dyson Airwrap for awhile, wait no longer and take part in CapitaStar’s festive lucky draw.
All it takes is to redeem 100 STAR$ for a chance to win – try it here! Other snazzy prizes 🎁 include a Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Headphones and a Nintendo Switch.
You raise me up like a Lo Hei
What is everyone’s favourite dance move during the Lunar New Year? Abundance 💃
Nothing embodies abundance more than eating yusheng and enjoying the explosion of colours and flavours. The romanticised drama of a food fight done in a modern civilised manner involves plenty of shouting and tossing the ingredients like there’s no tomorrow.
If that’s got you excited, be sure to snag The Star Vista’s Huat! Huat! Lo-Hei plate from the Festive Bundle Giveaway on our Facebook page (Contest ends: 28 January).
You may also choose to take the mess outside in the comforts of Din Tai Fung and their Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng at Raffles City Singapore.
Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want – a BIG red packet
Good fortune comes to those with small packages. In the context of the Lunar New Year, red packets are highly sought after, from the variety of colourful designs to the amount of cash within. Remember to redeem a set of red packets when you shop at our malls!
Start off by sending your festive greetings in the form of our auspicious Lunar New Year eCards. Elevate your messages to the next level by shouting ‘Huat ah!’ in a voice memo and tossing in some festive GIFs or stickers.
Next up, get all your red packets ready with this nifty organiser when you spend a minimum of S$180 at Westgate.
For the digitally-savvy and environmentally-friendly folks, you can take the spirit of gifting online and send eCapitaVouchers to your loved ones.
Rest assured with your finances as you now know that the recipients will be spending at a trusted CapitaLand mall.
Good things come in one full circle. 😉
Sweet reunions are made of this, who am I to disagree?
Family reunions are a high point of the festivities where fond memories, delicious goodies and bountiful meals are to be shared.
To the cynics, filter out the atypical invasive questions and statements like, “Where’s your girlfriend/boyfriend?” or “You look like you put on some weight (发福) ah!”.
On the lighter side of things, stun your relatives with a mic-drop moment like a deadpan joke, or play an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race on the television. It’s about time to return the long-due favours!
Jokes aside, it is worth trying to freshen things up with a sumptuous meal in a brand-new environment.
Take the family out to fancy choices like the recently opened East Treasure Chinese Restaurant by Astons at Clarke Quay, or local’s favourite Jumbo Seafood’s newest outlet at ION Orchard.