恭喜发财! (Gōngxǐ fācái!) Many celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival use this phrase to wish others a happy and prosperous New Year. Traditionally the New Year is marked by the spring cleaning of homes and the purchase of new clothes, and of course “red envelopes”. Like the previous year, many families will be celebrating in smaller groups or at home due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean this holiday season will be short of merriment and family unions. Members of the Singapore American School community share how they plan on welcoming the Year of the Tiger: 

 We are from the southern part of China where we have traditions for the “spring festival”. We spend some time cleaning our house and decorating, normally half a month before New Year's Day. Writing and pasting the “spring festival couplets” onto doors to welcome the blessings is one of the most important moments that families are excited about. Some families even put up Kumquat trees at the doorway for the “icing on the cake”. To make dumplings with family at home is not only a food necessity but a cherished opportunity for children to familiarize themselves with Chinese culture. Dumplings in Chinese are also a metaphor for reunion and prosperity. It is a tradition to take family photos before New Year's to celebrate the precious memories we spent as a family. Of course, the most anticipated moment is the reunion dinner when everyone presents delicious dishes to celebrate the New Year.
––Christine Ji QiuLi, PTA sponsorship co-chair

As Lunar New Year approaches, we prepare for our annual spring cleaning and preparations for our family's reunion dinner on the eve of New Year's. Other Chinese New Year traditions would also include visiting family and friends and the giving and receiving of red packets.

As a child, one would always love receiving red packets. As a parent now, it is also a joy to bless the loved ones around us. Prior to Covid-19, New Year was a big affair in Singapore, this would include visiting up to eight houses a day so we could catch up with family and friends.

In the past two years since Covid-19, celebrating Chinese New Year has been a scaled-down affair for our family. This year, visitations will be quite challenging with the government restrictions. Whilst this has dampened our spirits a little, this is also a reminder for us to be thankful that we are safe. Wishing a blessed Lunar New Year to all of you as we embrace the year of the Tiger!
––Christine Chan, elementary school nurse

Celebrating the Lunar New Year to me is all about togetherness and being with family, it is one of many traditions I celebrate as my family comes from different places such as Japan and Indonesia. A typical New Year for me would start with preparing auspicious food and snacks around the house for which each holds a significant meaning. After that, we would "spring clean" and decorate the house with orange trees, red auspicious "fú" (福) signs, and other Chinese phrases. When the day before Lunar New Year comes around, my family and I would normally gather for the "reunion dinner" and eat steamboat and poon choi to symbolize togetherness. We also have lo hei to symbolize good fortune and prosperity. We would also stay up late and wait for the New Year countdown. On the first day of Lunar New Year, we would go to my grandparents' house to wish them a happy New Year. Usually, kids and unmarried adults would receive red packets from elder relatives. Before the pandemic, we were treated to an exciting lion dance display as well. However, we haven't been able to do that for two years due to all the restrictions. Despite the new reality, it is still a time of warm celebration and ushering in joy and luck for the new year. 
––Reika T., eighth grade student

Whether it is Chinese Spring Festival, Vietnamese Têt, or Indonesian Imlek, members of the SAS community are celebrating family, gratitude, and togetherness. Despite the pandemic, loved ones are finding ways to stay connected during this happy Lunar New Year. We wish all who are celebrating a New Year blessed with good health, happiness, and prosperity!