Keeping Up with Tradition

The most important traditional festival for the Chinese people is right around the corner and without doubt, many are looking forward to all the dumplings, red envelopes, fireworks and many other auspicious things.

Out of curiousity, we asked some young people on how they are celebrating the New Year with their families this year.

“For our family, we gather for dinner with my aunts, uncles and cousins. If we do it at our ancentral home, my aunts would prepare ‘family’ recipes. We will have a few parlor games for the kids and we also have this tradition where in if you’re already working, you are obliged to give ampao (red money envelope) to the kids and cousins that are still in school.” Casey Siao

“We would welcome the Chinese New Year by having a special New Year’s eve dinner with family. While waiting for midnight, we would usually enjoy a bottle of wine or two by the porch of our house.” Danika Johanna Lauchengco Tan

“My father is from the mainland, we usually have a get together with our relatives for a traditional new year’s dinner. Everyone would wear red, there is always going to be tikoy (a traditional glutinous rice cake known to the Chinese as nian gao) in multiple variations that go together with the rest of the auspicious food like fish and noodles. The night would end with fireworks and red envelopes.” Jeremy Ian Hong