5 Cool Chinese New Year Decoration Ideas to Bring More “Ong” to your Home

Dong dong dong chiang! It’s time to paint the town red as Chinese New Year draws closer this February. It’s the year of the feisty feline and we’re all about channelling tiger vibes this season – roar!

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a festive holiday celebrated by the Chinese community all around the world. During this period, you’ll see a lot of bright red and gold decorations, lanterns, and oranges – but this year, the majestic striped beast also makes an appearance amongst other decorations.

Here are some neat CNY decoration tips to sprinkle some “ong” into your home:

Double your “ong” with duo duo decorations

CNY wouldn’t be complete without lively, vivid decorations! One of the popular decorative pieces you’ll come across when visiting a Chinese household is a traditional décor called fai chun [挥春], which are a series of Chinese characters or phrases typically hung on doorways to welcome good fortune.

New Year decorative wishes are often hung in pairs as it is believed that good things come in a set of two, signifying double the auspiciousness. That is why antithetical couplets are a hit during CNY! Comprised of a set of Chinese poetic and optimistic phrases, hanging a pair in front of your doorstep is believed to be an invitation for good luck. You can also hang these characters as wall décor as well.

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Add a splash of creativity with DIY lucky charms

Grab your glues and scissors, boys and girls – it’s time to channel your inner Picasso through arts and crafts. Create wonders with just red packets and red-coloured papers and turn them into decorative fans and festive lanterns!

To get more “ong” gushing into your home, you can accessorise your house with inverted, diamond-shaped paper cuttings of the Chinese character fu [福], which means good fortune. In ancient times, it is common to see an upside down fu placed on the doorways of Chinese households as it represents bountiful prosperity pouring into one’s home.

Get your “ong” flowing with flower power

Who says that flowers are only important during anniversaries and Valentine’s Day? Placing floral arrangements to your house not only adds pizzazz to your accomodation, but it welcomes good luck to your doorsteps as well.

According to Chinese beliefs, blooming flowers signify new beginnings that come with the Spring Festival. You can deck your hallways with peonies for good luck, mandarin oranges or kumquat plants for wealth, and plum blossoms for endurance. Looks like it’s time for a quick trip to the florist!

Getting the reunion dinners and table settings right

And what’s a king without his crown, and a table without its centrepiece? Reunion dinners are a big deal on CNY – think of it as the gala dinner of all Chinese festivities, but with a lot less black tie and a lot more RED.

The table arrangements and decorations must be given paramount attention, from the shape of the table to the colour of the utensils and plates. Round tables and plates are preferred as the circular shape symbolises unity and togetherness [团圆]. And of course, donning red decorations are highly encouraged as it is believed to attract good fortune.

Bonus tip: Don’t start dining before the host or the eldest member of the table, as it is considered a rude gesture. You wouldn’t want everyone at the table to be judging you with a mouthful of rice now, do you?

Go crazy with “ang, ang” shades

If you’re thinking Red by Taylor Swift, think REDDER. We’re talking about “ang, ang” cushions, table covers, door mats, and yes – even right down to your lipstick, ladies. The colour red, or “ang” in Hokkien, is believed to attract luck, so give your crash pad a crimson makeover this CNY. Don’t be surprised if your po po asks you to paint her toenails with a fresh coat of red nail polish!

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Enjoy extra prosperity and abundance with your new UEM Sunrise home.