How to Celebrate Lunar New Year Like You’re Part of Our Family

If you didn’t know, my parents grew up in the Philippines, but our family heritage is Chinese, so we celebrate both Chinese and Filipino customs during Lunar New Year! I’ll be honest that we aren’t the most traditional when it comes to the festivities, but it’s important to me now more than ever to be able to teach Baby L about her culture and to be proud of who she is.

I asked my dad a couple weeks ago how we celebrated Lunar New Year when I was younger, and this is what he shared:

Having Fish for Lunar New Year’s Eve Dinner
Fish (“yu”) sounds like the words that mean “abundance,” “prosperity,” and “good fortune” in Chinese.

Handing out “Angpao” (Red Envelopes)
This is meant to be a token of good luck by starting the new year off with money.

Don’t Clean the House on Actual Lunar New Year (2/17)
You don’t want to “sweep away” your fortune!

Wear Red (and/or Polka Dots, or Both!)
Red symbolizes good luck and polka dots represent coins and wealth.

Put 12 Round Shaped Fruits in a Basket on the Dining Table
Round fruits (such as pomelos, oranges, grapes, etc.) resemble coins and this welcomes in wealth for the 12 months of the year. (Bonus: you can also add a pineapple because it sounds like the word “prosperous” in Chinese!)

What are some ways you celebrate Lunar New Year?

xo,
Keshia