Let’s Hop into the Year of the Rabbit!

It's 2023, and we're hopping into the Year of the Rabbit!

The Lunar New Year is mostly celebrated in East Asian countries, and it’s usually synonymous with the Chinese New Year. Some believe that the celebration originated around 3,500 years ago and is linked to the cyclical pattern of agricultural production.

It’s also the second new moon after the winter solstice and marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Some even call it the Spring Festival.

In modern times, Lunar New Year has become more than just a celebration of the culture and traditions of East Asians—it has become a global phenomenon! Many cities around the world now host their own Lunar New Year celebrations featuring food, music, dance performances, parades, art exhibitions, and more! It’s a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together and celebrate this special holiday in unity.

Nevertheless, the good news is, this 2023 is said to be the Year of the Rabbit, and it is said to be a year of comfort and pleasure (Finally!). And, there are countless ways to celebrate this exciting holiday!

One popular tradition is giving out red envelopes with money inside; these envelopes are thought to bring luck for the new year. Red envelopes are also often given to children as a way to wish them good fortune in life. I remember when I was a kid, I was always excited to get my red envelope. It was always just a few dollars, but as a child, I felt like I could buy anything with it! Lol!

Another common tradition during this time of year is decorating homes with paper lanterns and red decorations—red being considered a lucky color that symbolizes good luck and joy for those who live there.

Of course, the celebration also comes with a big feast. This usually includes dishes like dumplings, fish, pork dishes, and other traditional foods such as noodles and rice cakes. People also fill their homes with symbols related to good fortune; these might include oranges, tangerines, peaches, coins, lotus flowers etc.

Now, if you need quick snacks for your festivities, you can check out our Yumday curated snack box.

Additionally, many cultures also practice exchanging gifts with family members—typically money or food items—to bring luck for the upcoming year.

And with festive food comes fun games! A classic game like mahjong is sure to get everyone involved in friendly competition. If you want something more interactive, try playing “Guess Who” using images of various animals associated with Lunar New Year (like rabbits).

The celebration would not be complete without fireworks! People will often light firecrackers to scare away evil spirits while simultaneously inviting good fortune into their lives. Fireworks represent joy and happiness and are often set off during Lunar New Year celebrations around the world.

Lunar New Year is an important holiday celebrated by billions around the world each year. Its customs vary from culture to culture but generally involve large feasts filled with delicious foods, gift exchanges among family members, decorations adorned in red symbols of luck, and fireworks meant to ward off evil spirits while inviting good fortune into people's lives. Whether you are familiar with these customs or not, we hope that you have had a prosperous Year of the Rabbit!