Making the best out of a modest CNY event

PETALING JAYA: It’s a quiet welcome for the Year of the Ox but celebrants are glad they could spend time with their loved ones.

Financial adviser Grace Lai said although it was not the usual festive mood, she was grateful to be surrounded by her family members.

“We normally celebrate Chinese New Year in Taiping with my grandmother and relatives. This will be the first time we are not able to be there.”

Lai said that it was a simple celebration for her this time.

“It’s only my parents and myself at home. My mother bought some ingredients for a simple meal.

“It doesn’t really feel like Chinese New Year, but I’m personally thankful that I’m still with family, ” she said.

Lawyer Cassandra Chung, 27, said she was feeling slightly disappointed as she was not able to see her extended family.

“This is the only time of the year all my cousins will be together in the same place as we live in different states.

“We would usually gather at my uncle’s place for reunion dinner and for the first day lunch.

“I’m feeling a bit bummed, especially for my sister because this is the first Chinese New Year she will be celebrating after studying overseas for so long, ” she said.

As for data engineer Brian Tan, he said this Chinese New Year was the loneliest he had ever experienced as he is not able to return to Penang to see his family due to the movement control order.

He resorted to buying snacks and cookies on e-commerce sites for his family.

“It was quite fun to send some surprises to my family. They received all sorts of cookies and snacks every other day.

“We just have to be creative at times like these, just to bring cheer and a smile, ” said Tan, who is based in Kuala Lumpur.

He was of the view that the muted celebration this time was a “small sacrifice to ensure that everyone is safe”.

“When this passes, we will be able to come together again, ” he added.

Accountant Jeremy Lim, meanwhile, said his family preferred to be on the safe side and not meet their relatives.

“I think there is too much risk. My grandmother is in her 80s. So, our family has decided to FaceTime our relatives and share what we are eating or doing on Chinese New Year.

“Although we are not able to meet physically, being able to see each other virtually is already a blessing, ” said Lim, 30.