Chinese New Year is a grand affair, and if there’s one person who ensures everything is perfect, it’s the mothers. From cleaning the house like it’s a crime scene to making sure your outfit isn’t an embarrassment to the ancestors, Chinese moms take New Year prep to a whole new level. Here are 10 things Chinese moms do to prepare for Chinese New Year that you’ll totally relate to.
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1. Spring Clean the Entire House
When we say “spring clean,” we don’t mean a light dusting. Nope. We go full-on deep cleaning mode. Every corner, every forgotten shelf, and even that random drawer filled with mysterious items you haven’t touched in years – nothing escapes our wrath. Why? Because according to tradition, cleaning before the new year sweeps away bad luck and makes room for good fortune. But let’s be real, it’s also an opportunity to yell at our teenage kids for being messy all year.
2. Buy New Sh*t
New year, new you – literally. We believe everything should be fresh and new to welcome good luck. That means a shopping spree like no other. From clothes and shoes to household items and sometimes even furniture, we make sure nothing in the house feels outdated. And yes, you’ll be forced to tag along and carry all those shopping bags.
3. Change New Notes
Cash is king during Chinese New Year, and we take our bank visits seriously. We’ll queue at the bank (or now, book online appointments) to get crisp, fresh banknotes to fill those ang baos. Wrinkled money? Absolutely not. The crisper, the better, because fresh notes symbolize a fresh start and prosperity. Also, you might want to double-check if we “accidentally” keep a few extra for ourselves.
4. Pack Ang Baos
Ah, the sacred ritual of packing red envelopes. This is when we turn into accountants, ensuring every ang bao is packed with the right amount – too little and it’s stingy, too much and it’ll ruin the budget. We have a system for who gets how much, from the kids to the distant relatives you only see once a year. And heaven forbid you mix them up!
5. Give a Crash Course on 4 Letter Words
We’re all about the auspicious four-character Chinese idioms, like “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (wishing you prosperity) or “Nian Nian You Yu” (abundance every year). We’ll make sure you memorize them because when relatives ask, you better be ready with a confident and respectful reply. No pressure, right?
6. Turn Into the Fashion Police
You thought we only criticized your outfits casually? Think again. Chinese New Year brings out our inner fashion critics. We’ll ensure your outfit is new, appropriate, and most importantly, red. Anything black? Forbidden. Anything too casual? Don’t even think about it. We might even dig into your closet just to make sure you’re not hiding something “unsuitable” for the big day.
7. Buy Mandarin Oranges
Mandarin oranges are a must-have, and we make sure to have a whole crate ready. These golden fruits symbolize wealth and good luck. We probably have a supplier we swear by and will inspect every orange like a gem dealer at an auction.
8. Buy Goodies
If you thought the oranges were enough, think again. Pineapple tarts, love letters, and an assortment of candies and snacks – we stockpile them like it’s an apocalypse. After all, no guest should leave the house without stuffing their face. And let’s be honest, we’ll probably nag you for eating too much before the guests even arrive. Oh, and of course, the CNY gifts for the children in the family can’t be forgotten!
9. Buy New Underwear
Yes, even your undies need a refresh. Red underwear, to be precise. Why? Because red is the color of luck and protection. We insist that wearing new red underwear on Chinese New Year’s Day will ward off bad vibes and bring good fortune. Mothers’ moms have been doing this for decades, and now it’s your turn to follow tradition – whether you like it or not.
10. Hang Decorations
Last but not least, we take decorating very seriously. From red banners with lucky phrases to lanterns and paper cuttings, every inch of the house needs to scream “festive.” We’ll carefully place everything in auspicious positions, ensuring good fortune flows freely into the home. And yes, we’ll probably ask you to help but then redo everything because “you’re doing it wrong.”
So, there you have it – the 10 things Chinese moms do for Chinese New Year that make the celebration extra special (and slightly stressful). Whether it’s their meticulous planning or their unyielding standards, we can’t deny that they make Chinese New Year the grand celebration that it is.