How to prep for the Chinese New Year

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With the Chinese New Year just a pounce away, it’s time to start preparations so that you can welcome happiness, luck and prosperity – as well as loved ones for joyous (but intimate) gatherings. In today’s bLOG, we’ve pulled together a list of simple Chinese New Year decorations and New Year traditions to help you embrace a fresh, positive start.

Welcome fresh flowers into your home

Flowers play an important part in Chinese New Year decorations, as they represent new growth after Winter and symbolise abundance for the new year. House your blooms of choice in a naturally stunning vase, such as our recycled glass designs! Mouthblown and hand made in Belgium using techniques that have been passed down through generations, they feature naturally formed bubbles trapped in the surface that make each piece naturally unique. Indeed, these beautifully crafted vessels are a wonderful way to inject auspicious red into your home, and pair perfectly with festive florals such as cherry blossoms, peonies or pussy willows. The vases can be displayed in its own right after the Chinese New Year celebrations!

Not sure which flowers to decorate your home with? Check out Time Out’s extensive guide on which fruits and flora you should usher in for the Chinese New Year.

Featured: Recycled glass vases

Prepare the fortune TREEts!

Chinese New Year decorations aren’t complete without a box of delicious treats that loved ones can enjoy when they visit, which symbolise wealth, happiness and luck. Lovingly handcrafted in Bali, our traditional terracotta candy boxes can be used to house anything from roasted nuts to confectionaries. Each piece is painted in red, with beautifully hand-carved ivory blossom motifs for a naturally stunning contrast. The boxes come with an indented lid, enabling you to safely stack two or more pieces together!

Our candy boxes also come in a planter option, designed to stylishly display festive Narcissus flowers.

Featured: Terracotta candy boxes | Terracotta planter

Cull the clutter

Tidying your home is one of the New Year traditions believed to help drive out any bad luck so that you can embrace new beginnings and a clean slate. Lovingly handcrafted in the Philippines using natural fibres, our handwoven baskets offer a naturally stylish way to keep your belongings organised while maintaining a clean, uncluttered look in your home. They’re available in an array of sizes, shapes and colours to perfectly suit your space, but our vibrant, multicoloured styles are an excellent way to add bright and happy colours into your space to welcome positive energy.

Featured: Handwoven baskets

Prepare lai see packets

Red packets, or lai see, also play an important role in Chinese New Year traditions, and are gifted to wish friends and family good fortune and prosperity in the forthcoming year. There are several formalities to follow in this tradition, such as giving and receiving red packets with two hands, and only giving money in even numbers. Check out Sassy Mama’s handy, in-depth guide on lai see etiquette, which will have you well prepared ahead of the Chinese New Year festivities.

Keep additional seats on hand

With loved ones visiting your home during the Chinese New Year festivities (but keeping in line with the latest social restrictions, of course!), we recommend always having additional seats on hand. Our bean ottoman, named after its adorable silhouette, can be used to kick your feet up after a long day, but can also double as extra seating for when friends and family are over during the holidays. Top tip: style two pieces together to create a festive Yin and Yang design!

Featured: Bean ottoman

Stools are another excellent option that’s perfect as a chic and petite side table in a compact home, and used as another seat when guests are over. Be sure to discover our range of naturally stylish stools!

Add the purr-fect finishing touch

Cushions are one of our favourite ways to update your space in an instant. In celebration of this Chinese New Year, we’ve created a fun and festive mini cushion that features a duo of adorable felines, beautifully woven with applique and embroidery detailing. It’s the perfect piece to give your home some festive flair for the Chinese New Year, or even as a gift to loved ones!

Featured:Tiger cushion

From the heart, Kung Hey Fat Choy – we wish you an extROARdinary year of the tiger ahead!