About the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year, starting 29 January 2025, marks the Year of the Wood Snake. “While the snake may symbolise evil and treachery in some traditions – the serpent represents the devil and temptation in the Christian Bible, for instance – in Chinese culture it symbolises wisdom and agility. Wood stands for growth, flexibility and tolerance. At the same time, it also nurtures the element of fire, which represents vitality and change.” (South China Morning Post)
Marking a fresh start on the lunisolar calendar and the promise of spring, the Lunar New Year is also commonly called the Chinese New Year in the US, but the holiday is celebrated throughout many Asian cultures.
No matter where the Lunar New Year is celebrated, it’s all about gathering with family and embracing new beginnings. The National Museum of Asian Art paints this vivid Lunar New Year picture:
“At home, families decorate windows with red paper cuttings and adorn doors with couplets expressing auspicious wishes for the new year. Shopping for holiday sundries in open-air markets and cleaning the house are also beloved traditions. The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is the highlight that kicks off the holiday, a feast with a spread of symbolic dishes, such as a whole fish representing abundance, that bring good luck and fortune. The fifteenth and final day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival, during which people have tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls, and children carry lanterns around the neighbourhood at night to mark the end of the celebration.”
The holiday is a fantastic opportunity to engage your business’s customers and community with events! There are so many meaningful and beautiful points of inspiration that deciding which direction to take is probably the hardest part.
Lunar New Year Event Ideas for Businesses
Celebrate the spirit of the Spring Festival and create meaningful experiences for your customers! The following Lunar New Year event ideas are designed to be relatively simple for small businesses to execute, but they can also be developed into something much grander.
Good Fortune Loyalty Programme
Extend the spirit of good fortune by introducing a special loyalty programme for the holiday. For example, customers who spend a certain amount during the Lunar New Year period could receive a red envelope with a surprise gift card or discount for future purchases. To track purchases, you could print custom loyalty cards and give them to customers as they shop.
Host a Lunar New Year Art Exhibit:
Support local Asian artists by displaying traditional and contemporary art celebrating the Lunar New Year. You could send email and printed invitations to your customers (perhaps incorporating an element like the sip-and-shop idea below). Share photos of the works on your social media accounts and invite everyone to visit your business to enjoy the art.
Auspicious Sip and Shop
Red Envelope Giveaway
One of the most cherished Lunar New Year traditions is the exchange of red envelopes filled with cash for good luck and prosperity. Bring this tradition to your business! Your red envelopes could contain surprise discounts or printed gift certificates for customers. This gesture will not only make them feel lucky but also encourage repeat shopping.
For businesses that rely on e-commerce, consider running a digital version of the red envelope tradition. Offer customers a chance to “open” virtual red envelopes on your website or social media for surprise discounts or exclusive offers.
Lunar New Year Charity
Community and giving are integral to the Lunar New Year. By incorporating a fundraiser into your event, you connect with the holiday’s values. A simple way to fundraise could be by hosting a raffle with beautifully printed red Lunar New Year raffle tickets. Alternatively, you could engage and inspire your customers and community through a peer-to-peer fundraiser.
Zodiac Social Media Contest
Engage your followers with a fun, interactive contest tied to the year’s zodiac animal. For example, invite customers to share photos of themselves embodying the qualities of the Wood Snake (wisdom, agility, or growth) for a chance to win a prize or discount.
Lunar New Year Workshops
Foster appreciation for the traditions that make the Lunar New Year so special. Connect with local artisans to offer a fun workshop related to Lunar New Year traditions, such as calligraphy or paper cutting. Customers can learn something new while enjoying your products or services.
A Taste of the Lunar New Year
If you own a food or retail business, consider introducing a limited-time Lunar New Year menu item or product associated with the holiday. This could be a one-of-a-kind cocktail, a special dish, or a custom-printed T-shirt for the occasion.
Lunar New Year Event Planning Tips
- Consult with local Asian community members or cultural organisations to ensure your events honour traditions with respect and authenticity.
- Use hashtags like #LunarNewYear2025 or #YearOfTheSnake to increase visibility on social media.
- Share behind-the-scenes glimpses, highlight partnerships with businesses and cultural organisations, and follow up with event photos or attendee testimonials.
- Incorporate hands-on activities, such as crafting lanterns or learning calligraphy, to engage attendees and make the event memorable.
The Lunar New Year is an opportunity for businesses to engage with their communities. From red envelope giveaways to zodiac-themed workshops, there’s no shortage of ways to delight your customers and showcase your brand’s values.
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