Tips

The Definitive Handbook for Lunar New Year Shopping: Your Comprehensive Guide

As the Lunar New Year approaches, everyone gets busy preparing for a complete and fulfilling celebration. There are signature items unique to these festive days that every household must have. Are you curious to know what these essential items are? Join us as we explore the must-haves for a perfect Lunar New Year celebration.

Administrator

17 July, 2024

Tet is the perfect time for family reunions, and your house plays a vital role in making the holiday complete. Ensure you have all the necessary items and avoid last-minute shopping stress. Here’s a list of essential purchases to fully prepare for Tet:

1. Offerings

Offerings for the Ancestors

One of Vietnam’s most cherished traditions during Tet is preparing offerings for our ancestors and gods. This includes incense, candles, ceremonial clothes, and gold and silver paper. It is believed that not only the living but also the deceased and the divine should be provided for during the new year. To show respect and devotion, it is customary to purchase these items around the 21st or 22nd of the lunar month for the ceremony dedicated to the Kitchen Gods, which takes place on the 23rd.

Learn more about the significance of offerings during Tet:

By preparing these offerings, we invite good fortune and prosperity into the new year, following a tradition that has been passed down for generations.

2. Five-fruit Tray

The Symbolic Five-fruit Tray

A five-fruit tray holds a special place on the ancestral altar during Tet. Each fruit is carefully chosen to symbolize the devotion of the descendants and their wishes for a prosperous new year. Bananas, apples, coconuts, papayas, and kumquats are among the popular choices, though regional customs may vary. To ensure freshness, it is recommended to buy the fruits on the 29th day of the lunar month, especially if they need to be displayed for several days.

For a fun twist, check out these humorous posts to share on social media during Tet:

3. Ceremonial Flowers

The Beauty of Ceremonial Flowers

Flowers are an integral part of Vietnamese culture, and during Tet, ceremonial flowers take center stage. They adorn the altars dedicated to the Kitchen Gods and the family altar on significant days of the lunar month. Typically, these flowers are displayed from the 30th day of the lunar month until after the 3rd day of the new lunar month, with the length of display depending on family traditions. To ensure longevity, choose flowers that are still in bud, and for the best selection, purchase them on the 29th day of the lunar month.

Discover more about the significance of flowers during Tet:

4. Food

Stocking Up for Delicious Tet Feasts

Running out of food on the first day of the new year is avoidable. While markets may open early during Tet, it’s best to be prepared and stock up on food for the first few days. This is crucial, considering the multiple ceremonies and offerings, as well as meals for visiting guests. For homemade dishes, prepare ingredients in advance to cook stress-free without last-minute shopping. Let your culinary skills shine this Tet without any worries!

5. Lucky Money Envelopes

The Joy of Giving “Li Xi”

“Li Xi,” or lucky money envelopes, are a Tet staple! These colorful envelopes add festivity and bring joy to both the giver and receiver. Spend a little extra to get high-quality envelopes, and don’t forget to check the year printed on them to avoid giving out last year’s envelopes, which could be seen as unlucky.

Explore more about the tradition of lucky money envelopes:

6. Lucky Money

Prepare a Variety of Denominations

Along with the envelopes, you’ll need the lucky money itself! Before Tet, make sure to have a range of denominations to avoid any awkward moments. It’s also important to use new bills, so plan to exchange your money before Tet, either at a bank or with someone who can provide crisp, fresh bills. Old or torn bills can be embarrassing, so stay prepared!

7. Tet Cookies and Candies

Sweet Treats for a Sweet New Year

Cookies and candies symbolize love and good fortune for the new year. While they may be common treats, they bring joy and create festive memories when shared with loved ones. To take advantage of the wide variety available, purchase these treats about a month before Tet.

8. Tet Gifts

Expressing Gratitude with Thoughtful Gifts

Tet is a time to express gratitude and appreciation to loved ones, parents, siblings, and close friends. Gifts are a wonderful way to strengthen bonds and show affection during this special time. Consider giving gift baskets, canned goods, wine, or candy to your parents and loved ones before Tet so they can enjoy or display them proudly.

9. Tet Jams and Preserves

The Sweetness of Jams and Preserves

Jams and preserves are an essential part of Tet, adding a touch of sweetness to the holiday. Though they may seem like a small detail, they are one of the hallmarks of Tet, each with its unique color, flavor, and symbolic meaning for the new year.

10. Tet Flowers and Plants

Welcoming Spring with Flowers and Plants

Spring is when flowers bloom, and the sight of apricot, peach, and kumquat blossoms signals the arrival of Tet. Enhance the festive atmosphere by adorning your home with potted plants or flowers. Popular choices include lilies, money trees, and marigolds, or explore the diverse selection at Tet flower markets. For the best selection, it is recommended to purchase flowers and plants before the 30th day of the lunar month, and the busiest and most vibrant time for flower markets is usually around the 21st or 22nd.

11. Shopping Tips for Tet

Smart Shopping for a Happy Tet

The end of the year is a great time to save with promotions and discounts, but it’s crucial to be a smart shopper. Always check the quality, expiration dates, and prices to avoid inflated “sale” prices set by some retailers. A helpful tip is to use cash instead of credit cards or online payment methods to avoid overspending. Have a detailed shopping list and budget to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable Tet celebration.

Make sure to take note of these essential purchases and prepare in advance for a stress-free and memorable Tet.

Frequently asked questions

Tet is a cherished time in Vietnam when families reunite. Your home is where these reunions take place, making it essential to have all the necessary items to make the holiday complete and enjoyable for your loved ones.

1. Offerings: Incense, candles, ceremonial clothes, and gold and silver paper are prepared for our ancestors and gods. This is a respectful tradition to bring good fortune.
2. Five-fruit Tray: A selection of fruits like bananas, apples, and coconuts are carefully chosen and displayed on the ancestral altar to symbolize devotion and wishes for a prosperous new year.
3. Ceremonial Flowers: Flowers are an integral part of Tet decorations, adorning altars dedicated to the Kitchen Gods and the family altar. Choose flowers still in bud for longevity.
4. Food: Stock up on food to avoid running out during the first few days of Tet, considering the multiple ceremonies and visiting guests. Prepare ingredients in advance for stress-free cooking.
5. Lucky Money Envelopes (‘Li Xi’): Colorful and festive envelopes that bring joy to both the giver and receiver. Get high-quality envelopes, and don’t forget to check the printed year.
6. Lucky Money: Have a range of denominations and use new bills to avoid any embarrassment.
7. Tet Cookies and Candies: Symbolizing love and good fortune, these treats are shared with loved ones to create festive memories.
8. Tet Gifts: Gift baskets, canned goods, wine, or candy are thoughtful ways to express gratitude and strengthen bonds with loved ones during Tet.
9. Tet Jams and Preserves: An essential sweet touch to the Tet holiday.
10. Tet Flowers and Plants: Adorn your home with potted plants or flowers to welcome spring. Popular choices include lilies and marigolds.
11. Shopping Tips: Save money by taking advantage of year-end promotions and discounts, but always check quality and prices. Use a detailed shopping list and budget to avoid overspending.

It is customary to purchase offerings for this ceremony, which takes place on the 23rd of the lunar month, around the 21st or 22nd of the same month.

The five-fruit tray is a symbolic offering on the ancestral altar during Tet. Each fruit represents the devotion of descendants and their wishes for a prosperous new year. To ensure freshness, it is recommended to buy the fruits on the 29th day of the lunar month, especially if they need to be displayed for several days.

The flowers are usually displayed from the 30th day of the lunar month until after the 3rd day of the new lunar month. However, the length of display can vary depending on family traditions.

It’s best to be prepared and buy food in advance to avoid running out during the first few days of Tet. Prepare ingredients for homemade dishes ahead of time so you can cook stress-free. Markets may open early during Tet, but it’s wise not to rely on last-minute shopping.

Get high-quality, colorful envelopes, and check the year printed on them to avoid giving out last year’s envelopes, which could be considered unlucky.

For the best selection, purchase flowers and plants before the 30th day of the lunar month. The busiest and most vibrant time for flower markets is usually around the 21st or 22nd.

Take advantage of year-end promotions and discounts, but always check quality, expiration dates, and prices to avoid inflated ‘sale’ prices. Use cash instead of credit cards to control spending. Have a detailed shopping list and budget, and shop in advance for a relaxed and enjoyable Tet celebration.