How 8 influencers are celebrating Lunar New Year
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Did you know that a big part of Lunar New Year traditions is finding ways to bring good fortune for the rest of the year? This includes surrounding yourself with lucky charms and shopping for a new look. To share just how important the Spring Festival means to them, we asked 8 inspiring Canadians on what they’re looking forward to this Lunar New Year and the lucky gifts they’re buying for themselves to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.
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Oh Emma
“When it comes to Lunar New Year traditions, I’m most looking forward to the red pockets. When I was a kid, I would collect them all and secretly count the bills with my cousins. The adults would tell us it’s impolite to open them right away, but we do it anyway. Now my daughter opens hers with a big smile on her face and we count them together.” – @oops_ohemma
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What’s on Emma’s shopping list:
“I always love to start the Lunar New Year in new sleepwear because nothing beats the feeling of sleeping in new pyjamas. It’s also a lovely sentiment to wake up in a new look, too.” – Available at Holt Renfrew
“A new coffee machine has been on the top of my list because I’m hoping to try different kinds of coffee beans in 2022.” -Available at Hudson Bay
“A red (or pink) fashion item is a must for the new year. There is a Chinese saying that goes “a red bag/wallet makes you spend more than you should,” but a red one can also attract luck and help bring in more money, too. This year, I’ve got my eyes on this Saint Laurent pink quilted puffer pouch.” – Available at Holt Renfrew
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Cher Bai
“I’m most looking forward to enjoying a big feast with my family. And for good luck, I’ll most likely be wearing red and gold throughout my look and/or makeup to call in all the lucky spirits.” – @chermycloset
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What’s on Cher’s shopping list:
“A red lip never fails to brighten up the face and up the confidence level. I’m hoping this Armani Beauty LNY lip set will help lead me to good fortune.” – Available at Sephora
“I love a good pair of party heels to finish my look–any excuse to wear fun heels in the winter”. – Available at Holt Renfrew
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Justin Wu
“I’m excited that it’s finally the Year of the Tiger — my zodiac sign! A few traditions I always do is to clean before the spring festival, have dinner with my family on New Year’s Eve and exchange red envelopes. I like that the act of cleaning symbolizes bad luck being swept away and I can start the year anew. During Lunar New Year I like to cook a few dishes that are deemed lucky within Chinese culture. This includes fish for prosperity, wrapping my own dumplings to bring in wealth, and longevity noodles for great health and long life.” – @justinwu
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What’s on Justin’s shopping list:
“Jianou Aijiao Oolong is one of my favourites. It has a nice complex flavour and is what my parents used to brew for me all the time. It reminds me of my childhood.” – Available at Tao Tea Leaf
“I’m always busy running around for work, so I would love a tumbler to enjoy my favourite tea on the go.” – Available at Tao Tea Leaf
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Alyssa Lau
“I’m most looking forward to seeing my family although it’ll likely be digitally again just to keep everyone safe. Also, eating tteok mandu-guk, which is a Korean dish typically eaten on New Years that consists of rice cakes and homemade dumplings (mandus)! It’s a lot of work so it’s a good thing we only eat it for New Years celebrations.” – @imalyssalau
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What’s on Alyssa’s shopping list:
“I’m looking for a new pair of house slippers, so my husband no longer has to warm up my frozen feet.” – Available at Journey’s
“I’m always busy running around for work, so I would love a tumbler to enjoy my favourite tea on the go.” – Available at Tao Tea Leaf
“Speaking of deep freeze, I need a pair of cozy mittens because I always manage to lose all of mine throughout winter!” – Available at Aritzia
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Isabelle Cheng (@ allons.y)
“Spending time with my family and celebrating all the traditions is always my favourite thing, especially after the past few years. It’s nice to have something to look forward to and it’s always a happy time. My favourite family tradition is making dumplings together. We all have our role in the “dumpling assembly line” and it’s always extra special because we did it together.” – @allons.y
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On Isabelle’s shopping wish list:
“For prosperity and fortune, I’m looking to get this ruby-studded gold necklace from Tiffany & Co.. Not only are red and gold considered the most lucky colours for LNY, but rubies also happen to be my birthstone, so I feel like that makes this especially lucky.” – Available at Tiffany & Co., Holt Renfrew
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Didier Young
“Lunar New Year has always been a very important celebration for me because my whole family gathers to celebrate over a delicious meal my grandma spent the whole day working on. It is thanks to Lunar New Year that I got to learn to cook some of my family’s dishes just by watching my grandma working on the feast. As such, I think that my favourite thing about the Lunar New year would be the sense of family and community you feel during that time of the year. I also like the red envelopes, too.” – @didieryhc
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What’s on Didier’s shopping list:
“I always love a good excuse to shop. Some of the lucky foods to eat during the Lunar New Year are Chinese dumplings (wealth) and longevity noodles (happiness and longevity) and I really like the idea of buying something that represents those. The Bottega Veneta Mini Pouch always reminds me of a dumpling, while the Bottega Veneta Double Knot bag looks like noodles, so they are big contenders on my list of things to buy.” – Available at Holt Renfrew
“I can’t build an outfit without shoes and there’s a brand new Alexander McQueen store that opened at Yorkdale, so I’ll make sure to stop for a pair of their Tread Slick Lace Up sneakers.” – Available at Holt Renfrew
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Chloe Zhang
“Something I look forward to every Lunar New Year is the gathering of the family together and eating a table full of delicious food. Growing up as a kid, one of my favourite traditions is receiving red envelopes (lai see). It symbolizes good luck, good life and happiness to those who receive it.” – @chloezhaang
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On Chloe’s shopping list:
“The Supersonic is one of my favourite Dyson products. I recommend it to anyone because I cannot live without it–my hair just doesn’t feel the same. Plus, every year they release a Lunar New Year edition in a stunning red colour, which will obviously help bring you good luck in the new year.” – Available at Hudson Bay
“You can never go wrong with sweets (a box of Lindt chocolates or sweets from Ladurée, perhaps?) because they are the perfect kind of gifts to bring to any family function.”
“Whether you are buying the Estée Lauder “Little Brown Bottle” for yourself or gifting it to someone, you can’t go wrong with this skincare product. Also every Lunar New Year, they launch a beautifully-designed limited-edition red bottle. – Available at Sephora
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Qing Zeng
“I am most looking forward to the food during Lunar New Year. My mom and I always make dumplings from scratch ahead of the new year. It’s a fun activity to do with family–not to mention, we get lots of delicious dumplings from it. – @qingaling
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What’s on Qing’s shopping list:
“I’m looking forward to buying rice cakes (nian gao) because in Chinese, it sounds like “getting higher year by year,” which is great in terms of income or position. Rice cakes can be made either sweet or savoury. It’s chewy and the perfect addition to any LNY celebration.”
“I am picking a cozy red sweater and fuzzy socks from Aerie to wear on Lunar New Year. Not only is red a symbol of good luck, these pieces will also keep me warm and cozy during the holidays.” – Available at Aerie