The Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and Malaysia is all set to dive into the festivities with some awesome traditions. We’re talking about whipping up some seriously delicious Chinese New Year feasts, giving our homes a good scrub for that extra dose of good luck, and decking the halls with all things red and lucky.
From family reunion dinners that are so good they should be a national treasure to trading red envelopes filled with good vibes, we’ve got it all covered. So, if you’re curious about how Malaysians kick off the Lunar New Year, stick around as we spill the tea on 10 Best Chinese New Year Activities to do in Malaysia.
What Are the Must-Have Reunion Dishes for Chinese New Year?
Auspicious reunion dishes like fish (abundance), prawns (happiness), abalone (prosperity), and chicken (prosperity) come along with tossing great fortune salad ‘Yee Sang’. However, it will only be complete with Nian Gao (glutinous rice cake) for rising prospects and bowls of steaming fa cai vegetable soup packed with good blessings.
What is the Must-Have Decoration for Chinese New Year for Your Home?
One of the must-have decorations for Chinese New Year is the “Red Lantern.” Symbolising good luck and prosperity, these vibrant lanterns are hung indoors and outdoors to usher positive energy. The red colour, considered auspicious in Chinese culture, represents joy and good fortune. Red lanterns often feature intricate designs, adding a touch of cultural elegance to the surroundings. Whether displayed along streets, in homes, or during festive events, these lanterns create a warm and festive atmosphere, making them an essential and symbolic decoration for Chinese New Year celebrations.
10 Best Chinese New Year Activities To Do in Malaysia 2024
1. Preparing Traditional Chinese New Year Feasts
Cooking preparations for Chinese New Year go beyond preparing food; they symbolise a collective effort to create an abundance of flavours and share the joy of togetherness. Families embark on this culinary adventure with anticipation as generations unite to pass down traditional recipes and techniques.
The kitchen becomes a hub of laughter, storeys, and the aromatic scents of spring rolls, dumplings, and steamed fish. For those opting for a restaurant experience, it’s an opportunity to savour the expertise of seasoned chefs while relishing the festival’s communal spirit. Some families would prefer to eat out at a restaurant instead for their Chinese New Year.
2. Cleaning the Home for Good Fortune in the New Year
The thorough cleaning done before Chinese New Year goes beyond just regular household chores; it’s a ritual that shows a strong belief in purifying the home to invite positive energy. Every sweeping and disinfecting action isn’t just about cleanliness but also about creating a spiritual sanctuary.
Additionally, it is customary at this time to pay respects to the deceased and clean and tend to their graves. Cleaning may be frowned upon during the celebration itself; it is done before Chinese New Year’s Eve. The tradition of cleaning before the celebration prepares for a new beginning, both physically and spiritually.
3. Shopping for Festive Décor and Lucky Red Accessories
For activities surrounding the Chinese New Year, shopping is essential. Around 10 days before New Year’s Eve, crowds are frequent in markets and shopping centres. The items typically bought include fireworks, firecrackers, New Year’s decorations, gifts, bulk dairy products, various snacks, fruit baskets, different grains, or Chinese wines and liquors. Additionally, these are the best presents to give while paying your family and friends a visit during the holiday. Moreover, the wish list must include candy, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
Along with purchasing gifts for others, it is traditional for individuals to purchase new clothing and other items for themselves and their families. Nowadays, many people purchase online for convenience, and e-commerce businesses regularly host online New Year’s fairs with significant discounts and promotions.
4. Decorating the Home with Flowers, Lanterns, and Scrolls
Adorning homes with festive decorations is a meticulous process that involves more than just aesthetic enhancement. Each red lantern, Chinese knot, and zodiac-inspired ornament carries profound symbolism, as a protective shield against negative forces.
The careful placement of these vibrant embellishments is a visual expression of cultural heritage, creating an environment that resonates with positive energy. The overuse of the colour red, in particular, becomes a powerful tool in warding off evil spirits and inviting good fortune
5. Enjoying an Auspicious Reunion Dinner with Family
The most important and meaningful event for all Chinese people in Malaysia who celebrate Chinese New Year must be a reunion meal together with family and loved ones. No matter how far they may travel, the entire family is together during this time to enjoy each other’s company and catch up on current events.
Everyone makes an effort to return home to be with their families. Almost all the food is homemade, and it may be the most generous spread of the year. Additionally, fish must be served because the pronunciation of the word fish, yu, indicates “surplus” in terms of both riches and household supplies. Most families may even eat out at a Chinese restaurant if they prefer to go outside.
6. Exchanging Red Envelopes Filled with Luck and Prosperity
Red envelopes for Chinese New Year are a traditional gift for young people or the elderly. Younger generations will get red envelopes containing cash as presents from parents, grandparents, and other family members. The quantity of cash in red envelopes typically changes depending on how much the donor wants to give, and it must be in brand-new banknotes.
The crimson, red envelopes that contain cash are called ya sui qian. This translates to “suppressing Sui (the demon) money”. A safe and tranquil New Year is wished to anybody who receives a red envelope.
7. Sending Warm New Year Blessings to Family and Friends
Chinese individuals will wish “Xin nian kuai le,” which translates to “Happy New Year,” to one another during the Chinese New Year. Families like sending blessings and greetings during the Chinese festival to their friends, family, and coworkers via phone calls, text messages, email, social media, and—most importantly—in person.
On the day of the celebration, family members will often meet their visitors and wish each other well. If you are unsure how to choose a greeting or are looking for new wishes, you can look through our article on the best Chinese New Year wishes.
8. Visiting Relatives to Strengthen Bonds in the New Year
This may be the festival’s most crucial component when individuals who celebrate Chinese New Year will meet and welcome their family members and elders. This typically occurs on the first day of the Chinese year and continues during the two-week celebrations.
On the second day of Chinese New Year, married couples will go to the wife’s parents in accordance with customs. Giving Chinese New Year gifts, such as regional goods, food and wines, when individuals visit friends and family is considered acceptable. Additionally, their elders might give crimson envelopes to young married couples and young children.
9. Watching Acrobatic Dragon and Lion Dances
Most large shopping centres, venue spaces for events, and even businesses have their distinctive ways of commemorating the Chinese New Year and hold public events up to and including the Lantern Festival, which is Chinese New Year day 15.
These include religious observance, lion dances, dragon dances, and ceremonial folk performances. After spending a long time at home eating a lot of delicious traditional Chinese food, these fairs are enjoyable for the whole family and a perfect spot to visit toward the end of the festival.
10. Lighting Firecrackers to Scare Away Evil Spirits
In Malaysia, fireworks are displayed on almost every occasion, including weddings, new business openings, and holidays. However, Chinese New Year is when this activity stands out. When the fireworks go off at midnight, the air reverberates with the thunderous sound of firecrackers, and everyone cheers for the start of the new year.
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