As children we used to look forward to it as it meant having new clothes, new shoes and receiving ang pows ( red envelopes that contain money).
We knew that at the reunion dinner we would get to eat food that are considered delicacies, obtainable only during the festive season. Usually grandma and the aunties would gather to cook the various dishes.
Offerings and prayers were made to our deceased ancestors so that we could look forward to a better year both in health and prosperity.
After dinner, the elders would play cards or chit chat while children would play fireworks outside in the compound. We were told that the longer we stayed up at night to welcome in the New Year, the longer our parents would live.
On New Year’s Day, the children would dress in their new clothes and line up before the elders to wish them “Gong Xi Fa Cai”, good health and longetivity and they would be given their ang pows.
Visiting relatives also meant feasting on cookies and getting more ang pows. Children and singletons receive ang pows as is the tradition. Only married people can give ang pows. Adult children also give their parents ang pows out of love.
Children enjoy this day as parents will never utter a harsh word or scold them as this is also a tradition. So many get away with doing all kinds of naughty things since they will not be chided or chastised.
Without children, the festive cheer is missing. There will not be any rollicking, laughing or playing together, having fun, antics which adults like to watch.
Unfortunately, these days, the children are more engrossed in their individual iPads rather than playing other kinds of games. Nevertheless, their presence still makes a difference to the day.
Traditions are slowly disappearing. Reunion dinners have moved out of homes into restaurants or done away with as many families opt to go on holiday instead of celebrating at home. Few have open houses as this entails a lot of work even though the food may be catered.
I hope the celebration of the Chinese New Year will continue for generations to come as traditions are part of our cultural identity and they make us unique as a community.
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