Saturday, January 8, 2011

Chinese New Year preparations

The sun has not shone for three days. This is unusual because normally around this time of the year, approaching the Chinese New Year, the sun would be up early amid clear blue skies. We'd get strong winds too, so strong that flower pots get knocked off their perch sometimes. Hmmm... none of these so far this year and it's a little under a month to the Chinese or Lunar New Year which falls on Feb 3. I miss all these little reminders actually. And I so look forward to having those lime or kumquat plants around the house. Delightful.

This time of the year would see a lot of preparation and washing leading up to the celebration including washing and drying out cookie containers (for families who bake their own cookies) and food caddies, giving the house a new coat of paint and most importantly, spring-cleaning. A new and nice bath vanity could make a lot of difference to spruce up a home even.

Besides doing up the home (cleaning, decorations and all), there's a lot of other shopping as well. There's stocking up the fridge for the various important meals especially the reunion dinner on the eve and dinner on the second day. It's good when such traditions are upheld. They make the celebration merry.

There's shopping for clothes and shoes too. It is customary to wear new clothes (especially) during the Chinese New Year. It symbolises a fresh start to a brand new year. So, have you done your shopping yet?


Image source: nst.com

16 comments:

  1. talking about the CNY weather, from the past couple of years, i realised it's actually delayed.. soon after CNY i guess we would have windy and hot weather~~ :)

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  2. Anonymous2:46 PM

    It's usually hot and dry during chinese new year but this year it has been raining lately. No complaints though. I believe chinese new year shopping should be underway over the next few weeks.

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  3. SK, come to think of it, your observation is spot on. Indeed, world weather patterns have changed - even around the world such as snow in summer in Australia just last month!

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  4. Mei Teng, frankly, I'd rather have hot weather. I'm not much for rain though it cools the atmosphere. Enjoy the shopping. I was thinking how busy Chinatown would be this time of the year. Nice to be there to see the action if one does not mind crowds. Great place for photography too.

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  5. Traffic is heavy in PJ today. Is it because people are preparing for CNY?

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  6. CNY mood is definitely on. All those CNY songs blaring in malls. :)

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  7. KS, early shoppers maybe. Good to shop early - one has more and better choices.

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  8. Lina, oh? Very nice atmosphere then - Chinese New Year songs and decorations. Subjective, eh? haha..

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  9. The same feeling for those going on holiday overseas especially in colder places. It is not so much about the destination but the preparation such as shopping woolen socks, caps, gloves etc. For CNY would be also the same like you mentioned shop here, make cookies, oblada obladi enjoying all the pleasures & pressures rushing to banks, changing new notes, rushing balik kampung etc and when comes to the actual CNY day its over in a blink of an eye. For all your know its Chap Goh Meh in a very short time..haha ~;).

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  10. This year has been quite strange as summer isn't has hot and rain keeps coming. I wonder if this will repeat itself for 7 years.

    There will be some parade in Chinatown during Chinese New Year and other than that it is a usual day for everyone here.

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  11. Bananaz, I couldn't agree more, also kinda like cooks toiling in the kitchen for hours and everything wiped clean in less than half an hour! Love your 'obladi oblada'. Cute!

    Have banks got the new notes and angpow packets yet? Gotta get some for my mom.

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  12. Ai Shiang, what's with the 7 years?! Something along the line of the 7 year-itch or the 7 years of bad luck? LOL!

    Over here, Chinese New Year is merrier, I reckon. There's at least the air of festivity - something that only comes around once a year. At least I get to play mahjong. Yippee!

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  13. Oh btw Ai Shiang, that's a nice new profile picture.

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  14. I only learnt about 7 years this and that when it comes to the financial markets. Not sure about other stuff like breaking a mirror and get 7 years of bad luck. I don't think it is that bad :o)

    Wah! You play mahjong? Good for you, at least there is somethingyou enjoy. I know nothing about mahjong and chess, I'm so pathetic.

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