Lunar New Year preparations follow a rhythm: clear out the old year, decorate, gather for the reunion dinner, then visit family. This checklist follows that order — adapt it to your family’s customs.
Cleaning sweeps away the old year’s bad luck and makes room for good fortune. It’s done before New Year’s Day, since sweeping on the day itself is said to sweep the luck away.
Who gets red envelopes?
Traditionally, married adults and elders give red envelopes with crisp new bills to children and unmarried younger relatives. Amounts with the number four are avoided, as it sounds like the word for “death” in Chinese.