Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China.
Every year, tens of millions travel across China to reunite with their family for the New Year’s Eve dinner. It is more than a dinner, and it is more than just welcoming a new year together or protecting your families from this horrible demon monster called Xi 夕 or Nian 年 from old legends. Staying up all night for New Year’s Eve (除夕) is called Shou sui (守歲) in Chinese, and the characters literally mean ‘keep time.’ It means being fully present with the family, and keep every second of it with gratitude.
Growing up in China, I loved Chinese New Year. Schools are closed, streets are decorated, everyone is happy, we stock up food and cook a long table of dishes on New Year’s eve and wait until the bell toll at midnight–it is almost sacred for a year of good luck! Though I still celebrate it after I moved to the U.S, the atmosphere is just not the same. And inevitably, it blends in the local culture, whether that is in America or elsewhere. The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is also celebrated across Asia. Even within China, the customs are not exactly the same between different regions.
At the end of the day, no matter where you are or where you came from, Lunar New Year is a time for family. Wishing you a wonderful year of the dog filled with prosperity, love, and good health!