It feels like just yesterday that we welcomed the arrival of 2025. Already, vibrant shades of red abound and families will soon gather around the dinner table to usher in the glorious entrance of the Year of the Snake. We caught up with four celebrants to learn how they plan to make the most of this auspicious Lunar New Year!
The Year of the Snake is already set to be an incredibly promising year!
Before anything else, ORD LO! After this month, I’ll finally fulfil my National Service obligations, and I’m so pumped to kickstart the upcoming milestones of my life! Soon after Lunar New Year, I’ll begin my work-study programme while getting some much-needed personal time at home. It’s going to be a Ssspectacular Year!
This year the festivities fall on two weekdays and I’m really looking forward to the extended time to catch up with family and friends. It doesn’t sound like much, but last year’s celebrations were rather rushed because they happened on the weekend, then I had to return to camp. It didn’t feel much like a reunion, and more of a fleeting moment. At least we can take our time this year to unwind and celebrate. For this Lunar New Year, I’m going to cherish every moment, from the time spent with my loved ones to our reunion dinner (yay!) and the festive ambience!
– Zavier Tan, National Serviceman (Artillery)
What a great year to be a Rat (not literally of course)!
For those born in the Year of the Rat, we are supposedly going to do especially well this year. More wealth and better health, I hope! Celebrations wise, I’m visiting my relatives and friends, just as we do every year. And we cannot have a Lunar New Year gathering without some gambling, like ban luck and maybe even some rounds of Mahjong.
Then after, back to slaving for money until 2026 comes around. But on a more optimistic note, Happy Chinese New Year everyone!
– Faith Tan, Talent Manager
The lo hei or tossing of yusheng at Lunar New Year gatherings is a must. Here are the 5 must-dos for a successful lo hei!
Time to collect the ang baos (red packets)!
Just kidding (not really)! But on a more serious note, I am hopeful that the Year of the Snake brings about new opportunities for me. In a way, it already has! Soon, I’ll begin my training as a financial advisor, and I’ll see where that takes me. Whatever it is, I really just want to jump-start something for myself this year to get the ball rolling.
I’m excited for the upcoming celebrations! Sure, getting to see my relatives is great and all but the long holiday is a great time for many of us to catch up on our mounting sleep debt. It feels like everyone around me really needs this time to relax. So, I’m making it a point not to rush through the festivities! I plan to drop by the Pokemon card shop with my friends, maybe grab dinner and window-shop before heading home to spend time with the family. To my fellow celebrants – have an amazing rest and a better Lunar New Year! Huat ah!
– Declan Lee, Financial Advisor Trainee
Chinese New Year has always been very hectic for me and the family.
We often talk about the joy of our reunion dinners, but someone has to prepare them. I go to the wet markets in the morning to get the freshest ingredients in preparation for the actual day. That said, going all the way for Lunar New Year makes it so worth it when my family tells me, “Thank you mummy! Very nice!” We rarely get to eat together, seeing how busy everyone is, so I want to make this year’s reunion dinner special, you know? To start the Year of the Snake with a bang!
I’m just so grateful that my close friend invited my family to her home for dinner this year. So, we’ll have two opportunities to dine together, one at home and another hosted by my good friend. This is almost a one in a million opportunity for us. Wishing everyone good health and luck this Lunar New Year!
– Veniz Kwong, General Manager
Main photo: SPH Media Trust
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