Celebrating CNY in new normal
WHILE we understand Chinese New Year (CNY) is an important occasion for family reunions, Malaysians of Chinese descent are instructed to stay where they are for the annual CNY holiday to stem the spread of the Covid19 epidemic.
for our safety we shouldn’t feel melancholy to be away from home during the festival.
it goes without saying that we miss traditions like having a big dinner with family on new year’s eve, making dumplings, and making all the noises etc.
it’s been a rough year. we are almost reaching the anniversary of the global Covid-19 pandemic that has rocked the world.
The coronavirus has not only disrupted the way many Chinese people who are celebrating their new year - it has also reshaped their traditional greetings.
instead of well-worn appeals to prosperity, many Chinese are telling each other to be free from sickness as many countries are struggling to contain a public health crisis. so, forget about fortune in the year of the ox - just keep our health.
because of how bleak 2020 was, we need a little pick-meup during this festive season to keep our spirits up and make Cny2021 one worth celebrating.
after all, studies have proven that relishing celebrations, big or small, improved mental and physical health as well as built resilience to unfavourable situations.
This year Cny falls on friday, february 12. The date is determined by the lunar calendar where the holiday falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice on december 21.
Thus, each time the Cny falls on different dates of the usual gregorian calendar, between January 21 and february 20.
Though being in winter for most of China where Cny originated, it is popularly known as the spring festival in China depicting the beginning of spring that represents the desire for a new life.
The festival has a history of over 3,000 years. Celebrations on lunar new year’s day can be dated back to the ancient worship of heaven and earth.
over the centuries new traditions were added and celebrations became more entertainment-orientated.
“are we celebrating Cny this year or not?” is probably what’s playing on everyone’s minds right now.
Considering that everyone is more concerned about staying safe at home, celebrating this festivity might get a bit tricky… but not impossible. we can celebrate this year’s Cny the new normal way? here are some of the possibilities:
we know that Cny is about reuniting with your loved ones. and if you are living in the same city as your family, you are definitely one of the lucky ones this year. however, if you have just returned from any trips, whether international or just interstates, do make sure to be cautious and not visit your relatives, no matter how “fine” you feel.
even if you have not been travelling but you go out a lot for work or other necessities, try your best to avoid visiting other people! Taking extra precautions certainly will not hurt anyone. your family and friends will always be just a phone call away.
in malaysia, sending over food to someone is one of our highest forms of affection. and since we probably won’t be able to be together this Cny, why not spread some joy to your loved ones by delivering some homemade goods to them? and with grabexpress’ speedy delivery, you can be sure that your package will arrive in no time!
since we probably won’t be able to gather with most of our family members this year, does that mean we won’t receive any ang pows as well? well, this might be the silver lining for all of you married couples. not really! we live in a world of technology. Just convert those ang pows into your e-wallet and you’ll be able to go cashless with it! for the non-married lots, this means you still can receive those ang pows this year without being judged. hooray for technology! you can get a bit creative with it too by sending ang pows in the form of grab rides, food or mart gift cards! not only is this a practical gift, but it’ll also appear more thoughtful too.
every Cny definitely won’t be complete without some yee sang! but just because we cannot dine at restaurants, doesn’t mean we cannot have it. Just get it delivered straight to your doorstep instead! This way, you can have a feast without having to put in hours of work in the kitchen.
Cny is quietly approaching. observed by one fourth of the world’s population, i pray that this is a celebration of the coming year of good health and happiness and of course a time of gathering. happy Cny to you all.