Lunar New Year is just around the corner on Feb. 12, and if you’re like me, you may be wondering how on earth you’re supposed to celebrate it this year. My family has celebrated Lunar New Year ever since I was born, but most of these festivities will have to be put on hold this year. Many will have to spend the holiday away from friends and family due to California’s stay-at-home order and restrictions on gatherings. Although there is nothing like celebrating in person, there are still ways to enjoy Lunar New Year virtually with some workarounds and creativity.
This Lunar New Year is an opportunity to think outside the box. It may inspire you to throw out your safe dinner menus and cook something new. Or you may be seeking just the opposite, longing to replicate your family’s Lunar New Year traditions because you find them comforting in these uncertain times. Perhaps you’re looking for thoughtful ways to show your family, friends, or community that you care, even if you can’t do it in person. Regardless of what you’re thinking about, I’ve put together a list of low-stress ways to safely celebrate Lunar New Year during the pandemic.
1. Send food
Even though dining at the table with your extended family may not be a possibility for some time, you can still show your love to relatives by sending them homemade confections. If you’re like me, you’ve probably snacked on a bit too many pastries during the pandemic. Shipping some of those calories to family and friends is a great way to show them you’re thinking of them, even if you can’t celebrate the new year together. Just be sure to fill the box with plenty of bubble wrap to prevent the containers from shaking around during delivery. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a number of other helpful suggestions for shipping food, such as adding cold packs and bubble wrap to act as an insulator and to make sure that the food does not perish.
If you want to send hot dishes to family members, make sure you live within a reasonable distance, so you can drive to their house and drop off the food. I’d recommend leaving as soon as possible after cooking the food, as having to reheat food may not always be the best experience, especially with more delicate dishes that break apart easily. To keep food warm on the drive, cover your tray or pot with the food you want to transfer with aluminum foil. Then, place it in a cooler with towels soaked with hot water. This method can last up to six hours, which gives you a large timeframe to properly deliver hot, homemade food to your relatives.
2. Scale it back
Your guest list is likely to be much smaller than usual this year, or you might just be burned out from Christmas celebrations. Either way, it’s alright to scale your menu back a bit. If you don’t plan on having any relatives over, try choosing foods you normally enjoy instead of the ones you buy just to please your guests. Consider halving your traditional recipes to accommodate for the decrease in guests.
3. Celebrate outside
If you do plan on having a socially distanced gathering, consider throwing an outdoor party, if the weather permits. It’s easier for multiple families to gather at a safe distance in one’s backyard. A buffet-styled potluck allows each household to take turns to fill up their plates. Alternatively, you can portion the food in advance in separate containers and distribute it at the gathering, allowing each family to stay in its own zone while dining. Make sure to have some activities as well, such as folding and hanging paper lanterns, or lighting firecrackers and other pyrotechnics, if legal in your city.
4. Dine virtually
Even though Lunar New Year is based around past traditions, with a little creativity, you can pull off your family’s lunch or dinner gathering virtually! If you’re unable to get together in person this year, then you can hold your Lunar New Year celebration on Zoom. Just send out a Zoom link to your friends and family through text or email with the scheduled date and time, and have a test run for the less tech-oriented before the actual event. Although it may not replicate an in-person family experience, a Zoom call can still show that you all care for one another in these difficult times.
5. Decorate the house
Since there will be little to no guests allowed over, try decorating the house the way you want to, not just the way you want it to appear for visitors. You can use this opportunity as a family-bonding experience, working together to make your home the best it can be. Some traditional pieces you can use to spruce up your living spaces are flowers, banners, and anything red. Personally, I love to have peach blossoms in my room to remind myself of the upcoming new year. Some places to buy Lunar New Year decorations include the Grand Century Mall in San Jose and Floral Design Studio in Milpitas.
6. Religious celebrations
Going to a temple or church to pray and watching festive dances is an essential part of celebrating Lunar New Year, but participating in these events in person will be much more difficult with COVID-19 restrictions in the county. Instead, try attending a virtual service instead, as it lets you celebrate safely while still watching the same rituals as if you were there in person. If possible, organize an online visit with your family members by joining the ceremony at the same time, making it a more personal and enjoyable experience. Lion dances can be found all across the internet, and by connecting video streaming services like YouTube to your television, you can replicate the same experience as going in person.