While many students begin the New Year with resolutions and ambitious goals, senior Chris Luong’s year is peaceful and eventful. For Luong, the New Year only begins when his family gathers together to celebrate the Chinese New Year, a celebration that is rich with tradition, stories, and family.
For Luong, the Chinese New Year isn’t just an ordinary holiday; it’s a time for a fresh slate and celebrating with family.“I celebrate the Chinese New Year every year. It’s one of the important holidays in my culture,” Luong said.
As the Chinese New Year approaches on Feb. 17, families and students begin making preparations to follow traditions to welcome good fortune to the New Year.
Luong shares the measures and actions he prepares with his family before the important celebration. ”Before Chinese New Year, we want to be clean on the first day, avoid negative language, and get everything set up so we can prepare for the holiday. I think the reason for these things has more to do with a resolution for a better year and being joyful, because positivity is one of the main aspects of this celebration,” Luong said.
Senior Jaeden Tieu Tran also participates in the holiday with his family. Preparing with their own customs as the celebration approaches: “For my family, we stay up at midnight on Chinese New Year’s Eve, and we set off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits,” Tran said.
Not only does the Chinese New Year emphasize preparation before the holiday, but it also emphasizes the importance of performing traditions. Having traditions like wearing the color red for good fortune, receiving and offering red envelopes to the young children or unmarried adults, and sharing a family dinner with relatives.
For many, the Chinese New Year is significant, with celebrating generational traditions and customs with loved ones, as well as spending quality time with family. Sharing memories and stories as families share traditional meals and connect.
But, for numerous individuals, though, family plays an immense role in the Chinese New Year, such as students and teachers alike.
Philip Zamora, AP language teacher, shares, “What makes Chinese New Year special to my family is that we get to see more of the family”. Demonstrating that in the Chinese New Year culture, celebrating with family is a highlight. “We have dinner with the family, and it helps me connect with people who celebrate the holiday,” Zamora said.
Senior Arabella Lee shares how family is what makes the Chinese New Year special to them. “I get to spend time with my extended family, I don’t see them that often, so I really treasure these moments,” Lee said.
Luong agrees with both experiences, “This holiday is important in our culture because it’s all about celebrating it together as a family or community. It calls back to certain traditions historically, like lighting firecrackers. Personally, this holiday just reminds me to have fun and create memories with my family & friends,” Luong said.
This celebration is not only focused on red envelopes and luck, but also on spending time with relatives and friends. Making unforgettable memories by playing games, sharing experiences, or simply chatting.
As students prepare for the festive holiday, whether celebrating Chinese New Year’s Eve or getting the house ready for good fortune, spending time with family is a key aspect of the celebration.
