Ng (seated from left) is with her family in Ipoh making love letters cookies for Chinese New Year. - COURTESY OF NG.
Rising costs and changing lifestyles see families prioritise food and family time
PETALING JAYA: As rising costs reshape festive habits, some celebrants are placing greater emphasis on quality food and family time rather than lavish decorations.
Assistant manager Michelle Ng Hor Yan, 31, said celebrating modestly is nothing new for her family.
“My family has always kept our Chinese New Year celebrations relatively simple. Most of our budget goes towards food rather than decorations or lavish arrangements,” said Ng from Ipoh, Perak.
She said she further reduces costs by making her own snacks, such as pineapple tarts, fried prawn crackers, kuih semprit and chocolate chip cookies.
Over the years, Ng added, fewer guests have been visiting their home, leading to smaller portions and less food preparation.
“We rarely buy decorations. We enjoy making our own and reusing those that are still in good condition.
“This helps cut costs while keeping things personal and festive,” she added.
Despite the scaled-down celebrations, Ng said the festive mood remains intact.
“As long as the family comes together, even a simple meal is meaningful,” she said, adding that chatting, playing cards and catching up over homemade cookies are enough to create a joyful atmosphere.
Another celebrant, who wished to be known only as Yap, said his family’s simpler celebrations are driven more by lifestyle changes than financial pressure.
“Over the past few years, my family has been celebrating a simpler Chinese New Year, not because of money issues but because my parents prefer less trouble,” said the 27-year-old marketing executive.
“My brother and I are also not very ritualistic. We prioritise spending time together over rituals and grand decorations,” he said, adding that food preparation has naturally been reduced as appetites have changed.
“My mother cooks lighter food and in smaller quantities. We used to finish everything on the eve, but now leftovers can last until the second or third day,” he said.
“The festive mood comes from our attitude towards the celebration.
“Even with grand decorations and abundant food, if you do not value the festival, the atmosphere will not be there.”
Yap, who is from Melaka, added that spending quality time together remains the heart of the celebration.
“The biggest meaning of the festival is family unity. That is what makes it precious,” he said.
Student Phoebe Wong Shin, 25, said her family does not feel the need to cut back significantly, but focuses its spending mainly on food and clothing this Chinese New Year.
“We make sure there is enough food at home, such as snacks, oranges and beverages, so that when people come, we have something to serve them,” she said.
Wong said her family keeps decorations simple, often reusing lanterns and old ornaments.
“We do not spend on lavish decorations as we do not put up much in the house,” she said, adding that her family still buys new clothes every year.
“At the end of the day, what matters most is the reunion and making sure everyone is well fed, rather than spending too much on decorations,” she said.
