What is Chinese New Year?
The Chinese festival marking the start of the new year, beginning on the second new moon after the winter solstice and ending on the full moon fifteen days later. It is marked by visits to family and friends, special meals, fireworks, and gift giving.
Chinese new year is a pretty big deal to Chinese community. Is like Christmas of Chinese people. Before and during Chinese new year there are lots of ritual and tradition to follow. Especially, to the older generation. We, as the younger generation will try to help or accommodate the older generation.
What’s my Chinese new year like?
Since, i was a kid. We always have a very simple Chinese New Year. But, this year couldn’t be simpler. As a woman, I used to love shopping. Yes, correct. I emphasis “used to”. Because, I’m no longer enjoying shopping. This year I started to learn about minimalism which totally transform my life.
Minimalism basically mean desire to live with fewer material possessions. And I just realized that i do not need so much things in life to live.
As a beginning, I started to ask myself, do I really need 10 pairs of shoe in my life? Do I need 100 piece of clothes in my wardrobe and so on… The answer is NO, I don’t. I started to reduce everything and slowing down in my purchase.
Come back to my Chinese New Year and minimalism. I do not decorate my house this year. For me, all the Chinese New Year decoration is a waste, if you really need to decorate, use the old one, don’t buy the new items. The only things I bought was a Chinese New year sticker. That’s it. I felt things shouldn’t define who I am.
For me, Chinese new year should include of reunion dinner, going to my favourite chinese temple “Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple”, Chinese New Year prayers, eating chap choy, visit my dad, my parents in law, some relatives and last going for Chinese New Year movie together.
Yes, that is how I’m interpreted my Chinese New Year. Just a simple family get together. For me simplicity is everything.
You can check out my video for my chinese new year celebration. Catch the beautiful Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple scenery which is totally mesmerizing and extraordinary. I’m just stunned for the hard work they put in to build this amazing tang long / light exhibition every year.
May the Year of the Monkey attract all the good wishes this year!
Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!
