There’s a whole lot to know if you’re going to celebrate Chinese New Year properly, and this year I plan on doing everything by the book and sticking as close to tradition as possible, partly to teach my little girl this side of her heritage and partly to finally satisfy the curiosity I’ve had for it all these decades. So, join me as I explain every Chinese New Year tradition that’s about to take over the city.
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As the Chinese New Year comes around the corner, homes all over the country are bursting with red and gold decorations. Aside from the fireworks and lion dancing, there’s CNY magic taking place at home with each piece of festive decor that we put up.
Join the fun as we dive into the world of Chinese New Year decor, where every ornament is like a mini good luck charm ready to sprinkle some fortune dust on your space. Additionally, our recommendations for kid-friendly decorations make for the perfect family crafting time.
Let’s start with the traditional decorations.
Couplets and Spring Festival Scrolls
The doorways of homes are adorned with couplets and Spring Festival scrolls meticulously written with auspicious phrases and wishes for the coming year. These vibrant scrolls are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Paper Cuttings
Intricate paper cuttings, often featuring zodiac animals or auspicious symbols, are meticulously crafted and displayed on windows and doors. These delicate creations symbolize good fortune and happiness, adding a touch of traditional artistry to the festive ambiance. They’re super fun and simple to do together as a family, and if you’ve got toddlers who are just learning how to cut, a pair of kid-safe scissors and a packet of papers with pre-printed designs can get you hours of creative fun.
Fu Character
The character “福” (fú), meaning blessing or good fortune, is a ubiquitous presence in Chinese New Year decor. Whether displayed upside down (a play on words for “arrive”) or right side up, the fu character is believed to attract blessings and prosperity to the home.
Tangerines and Oranges
Tangerines and oranges are not only delicious treats during the festive season but also carry symbolic significance. Their round shape and vibrant color represent fullness and wealth. Displaying them in homes is believed to invite abundance and good fortune.
Nianhua (Traditional New Year Paintings)
Nianhua, traditional New Year paintings, depict scenes of joy, prosperity, and harmony. These intricate artworks, often featuring zodiac animals and mythical figures, are hung on walls to invoke positive energies and create an atmosphere of celebration.
Plum Blossoms, Peonies, and Orchids
Floral arrangements play a significant role in Chinese New Year decor. Plum blossoms, peonies, and orchids are popular choices, each carrying its own symbolic meaning. Plum blossoms represent resilience, peonies symbolize prosperity, and orchids signify refinement and beauty.
Coins and Ingots
To kickstart the year on a prosperous note, Chinese New Year decor often flaunts symbols of wealth like gold coins and ingots. Placed strategically, these little money maestros are like the welcoming committee for financial success and good fortune in the year ahead. It’s like giving your home a high-five for attracting all the good money vibes.
As homes are transformed into vibrant expressions of celebration, the Chinese New Year decor becomes a testament to the enduring traditions that link generations and inspire a sense of togetherness. Check out a few of our picks for kid-friendly Chinese New Year crafts below.
Cardboard dragon costumes are super fun for toddlers. They’re easy to assemble and lasts a surprisingly long time, especially if you reinforce all the tabs with a bit of hot glue.
Dragon lanterns are also a quick craft to make. There are options for ones that light up and they are great if you’re having a bunch of kids over for a playdate.
This one is great if you’ve got slightly older kids. But the design is a bit unrelatable for city kids since the scenes tend to be of rural village homes. But with a bit of creativity, you can adapt it to look like a festive traditional Beijing hutong.
This is the good stuff! They’ve already got designs on them, so it makes cutting out beautiful paper lanterns, words, etc. super easy.
If you’re going to hang things up, they might as well be hand crafted. These are easy peel-and-stick Chinese New Year designs that are great for kids and adults.
Images: Taobao, Mina Yan, Pexels
