During Chinese New Year, people have a long list of things to do. From one week preceding the festival to the 15th day after, many Chinese New Year customs are widely observed for thousands of years. The family reunion dinner, eating dumplings, and setting off firework are the must-dos that you might know. What else interesting do the Chinese do? Chinese New Year red envelopes are a traditional gift for children or elderly people during Chinese New Year. In China, the red envelope (money) is called ya sui qian (压岁钱 /yaa sway chyen/), which means 'suppressing Sui [the demon]money'. Those who receive a red envelope are wished another safe and peaceful year. 6. Visiting Relatives Chinese New Year's Eve (Jan. 28, 2025): 6 Traditions and Activities 1. Putting Up New Year Decorations. Although some people decorate their houses several days before the festival, most people do it on Chinese New Year's Eve. Chinese New Year, the grandest festival for Chinese people, is celebrated for more than half a month.According to the oldest traditions, people follow a day-by-day schedule of Chinese New Year festivities from the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, with specific things to do on certain days. 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. Chinese New Year is a time of happiness and good fortune and it's important to spread the goodwill. Avoid having any quarrels, fights, or negative attitudes during the New Year. These will bring you bad luck. Visit your family and friends often to share the New Year with them. Chinese New Year's Eve tradition 9. Setting off Fireworks. Setting off fireworks used to be an indispensable custom during the Chinese New Year. Chinese people believe that the noise of the fireworks could scare away evil spirits and that the sparks could bring good luck. DON’Ts: WHat you shouldn’t do during Chinese New year. DON’T start any arguments or bring up any negative topics. No profanities or swearing on Chinese New Year’s eve and day. DON’T cry on Chinese new year. Try to avoid sad memories! DON’T clean on the day of Chinese New Year, as you may sweep your luck and good fortunes away! Pre-Chinese New Year Celebrations (Jan. 7, 2025, to Jan. 28, 2025) Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival in China. People usually prepare for it early before New Year’s Eve. Little New Year (January 22nd-January 23rd, 2025) - 小年夜. The Little New Year of 2025 is January 22nd in the north and January 23rd in the south. During Chinese New Year, people add pictures of the gods to their doors to bring good fortune to the household and to protect the family in the coming year. Brighten up with some colour It’s easy to see when the Lunar New Year is around the corner – festive scarlet deçor adorns every street, storefront and home. Taking naps, especially on the first day of the Chinese New Year, represents laziness. In Chinese culture, taking naps on the first day of the new year will affect your luck and career for the rest of the year. 9. Avoid breaking things in your home This year, Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29. Those who celebrate will be entering the year of the snake. Just like with any holiday, traditions abound for Chinese New Year. Some of In Chinese, "fish" (鱼 Yú /yoo/) sounds like 'surplus'. Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish on the Chinese New Year dinner menu. Chinese people always like to have a surplus at the end of the year, because they think if they have managed to save something at the end of the year, then they can make more in the next year. When you visit relatives, friends or colleges, red envelopes, cigarettes, alcohol, tea, fruits, and health foods are good choices. You’d better choose four kinds of material gifts, or if you do not have an ideal Chinese New Year gift idea, just give a red envelope, which is the most welcomed and direct way to show your sincerity and affection. 1. Red Envelops/Packets. If your Chinese hosts have children, do not forget to prepare some red envelopes (hongbao) with suitable amounts of new bills in.This is the easy and traditional go-to Chinese gift for kids that fits all circumstances. Chinese New Year is a festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year in China. The celebration usually starts around late January or early February, and lasts 15 days. If You Do Have to Travel During Chinese New Year in Taiwan. If you absolutely have to travel on the some of the busiest days of Chinese New Year, you’ll still survive! You may not be able to get reserved seats on trains, but it doesn’t hurt to try. If you are in China during Spring Festival, we hope you'll get to experience this important holiday for yourself by participating in some Chinese New Year activities with friends or colleagues. Keep in mind that many people will be traveling back and forth during this period as part of the famous Spring Festival travel rush (春运 chūnyùn). SAN FRANCISCO -- The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is based on cycles of the moon and falls on a different day every year. In 2025, the Year of the Snake begins on Jan. 29. It what do you eat at chinese new year ideas for chinese new year gifts. The most common Chinese New Year foods include dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and niangao. We've rounded up 12 essential Chinese, or Lunar, New Year dishes, and included the symbolism behind them all. These are the most important Chinese New Year Foods and their meanings: 1.
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