DO’S ...

1. New Year Markets

In the course of the New Year's celebrations, pop-up markets appear and sell New Year goods, such as clothing, small arts, food and decorations. Buy and support these outlets - decorate your home and place of work.

2. Clean House/Feel Good

Sunday 23rd January 2023 is Chinese New Year's eve. On this ever of New Year and days before, it's tradition to pick up a broom and sweep away bad luck from the previous year to make room for the good. This is an opportunity to spring-clean – time to dispose of unnecessary clutter. A clean home means sweeping away any misfortunes, regrets or mistakes, to make room for a fresh, ordered start to the New Year. Wear new clothes; out with the old, in with the new - another symbol of a fresh start. But it’s bad luck to do any of these tasks on the actual Chinese New Year's day.

3. Settle Debts (and Drama)

Chinese New Year is a good time to put behind money and relationship troubles. Pay off the credit card bill and use any leftover funds to treat yum char for someone you haven’t seen for a while.

4. Eat – lots

Most of the New Year's day is spent inside the family home, cooking, eating, relaxing, and spending time together. But you could book a local restaurant for a traditional Chinese banquet. They offer delicious foods specially created for this occasion, and for an amazing experience, check out when they've scheduled a traditional lion dance appearing right at your yum cha table! Go home to feast with the family, but if you can’t get home, make a date to share a meal with your friends. Just remember to call your parents and grandparents to wish them health, wealth, and happiness. That way, you could be gifted cash, which brings us to tradition #5.

5. Get That Hoong Bouw (red envelopes filled with cash)

The Hoong Bouw is probably the BEST tradition growing up in Chinese families. Typically gifted by the older family members to the children and the unmarried, these little red envelopes usually contain coins or notes – and all gratefully accepted!

6. Go Red and Gold

Two weeks before Chinese New Year, it’s tradition to start decorating; deck the halls with red and gold. Visit some local Chinese grocery stores and purchase paper cut outs, Chinese scrolls, and gorgeous lucky knots and ornaments to decorate your home and office.

7. Lions

The lion dance – one of the most famous Chinese cultural traditions – is totally necessary during any festival but you can hear them all year round; opening new restaurants or commencing an activity. These lions traditionally bring good luck and prosperity and drive away evil, so get out and enjoy the lions when you get the chance.

8. Celebrate!

Get into the spirit and enjoy the traditions, the people, the food, the entertainment, and especially what the communities offer.