Video-call date with your families

What is the Lunar New Year without having your family and loved ones around you? Even though you may be far away, the wonders of technology means that you do not have to be alone! Ring up your family and catch up with them over the festive period so as to exude the warmth of the new year through your digital device.

Organise a steamboat ‘reunion’ dinner wherever you are

One of the best things about studying abroad is the learning and sharing of different cultures. Invite your friends over and introduce them to the customary New Year’s reunion dinner. Also known as tuan’nianfan or tuan’yuanfan in Mandarin, it is an annual feast where family members come together to reaffirm their love and respect for one another as a unit. This year, share this love and feasting with your friends abroad instead!

Steamboat is a favourite amongst families who celebrate CNY and has a deeper meaning besides just a sumptuous dinner. This is because the steamboat pot, which is normally round in shape, represents family “reunion” (團圓Tuányuán) in Chinese. We are sure your friends will enjoy this time of feasting as you usher in the Lunar New Year!

Learn how to make CNY goodies

CNY is not complete without the abundance of festive food and goodies. To add on to the festivities while abroad, learn how to make some of your favourite CNY goodies instead of grabbing them off the shelves. It may be those delectable pineapple tarts, traditional love letters or the sinfully irresistible bak kwa, which is a dry, savoury sweet pork that usually comes in square slices.

You can even organise a baking session to share not only the taste, but also the art of making these traditional snacks.

Send e-red packets

Another huge part of Chinese New Year is the gesture of giving and receiving Ang Paos or Red Packets. It is usually the older or married folks who give these red packets, usually containing money, to family members or younger visitors.

Since the inception of online payment methods, the act of sending money has been made so much more convenient. Whether you are married or not, and if you have the capacity, you could send some virtual red packets for the fun of it to bless your parents, family members or even friends back home. The cost does not really matter in this case, but it is to practice the heart of giving especially this holiday!

Dress up in CNY colours

Legend has it that in the past, there was a beast called Nian terrorising villagers and destroying livestock. One day, a man successfully scared Nian away with the colour red. It has since been believed the colour signifies good luck and rids the spirit of bad fortune, which is why people are often seen donning the colour red or even adorning red decorations around the house during Chinese New Year.

In modern days, wearing bright colours during this season is highly encouraged and even mandated by more superstitious folks. Black signifies the opposite and hence anything dark coloured tend to be frowned upon. Hence, add to the spirit of CNY by dressing up in red or bright colours to lift your spirits, especially when away from home.

Arts and craft

Lastly, you could also fill your time by engaging in some therapeutic art to commemorate the Lunar New Year!

This holiday is all about blessings and good wishes. Homes and storefronts are decorated with red lanterns, door couplets, paper cuttings, and many more paintings of well wishes and good fortune. Instead of purchasing them, tap into your inner artist and hand craft these decorations! From calligraphy of Chinese well wishes to DIY red lanterns to ward off bad luck, there are tons of ways to emanate your creativity this festive season and pull a friend or two along with you. Not only is this a fun activity to do together, but also a way to bring the festivities to you.

There you have it! Your Chinese New Year does not have to be dreadful despite being away from home and these activities are sure to make you feel a little more at home whilst also sharing the joy and meaning of the season with your friends abroad. With that, we wish you a blessed Lunar New Year!