It’s almost a month since CNY passed and as what I’ve noticed years before, the festivity and atmosphere have become more muted in recent times. As the older generation fades to grey, some traditions are likely to be gone with times. In my family, while we have already done away with many of these traditions, we still try to capture a part of the CNY spirit with modern practices.

Starting with reunion dinner on CNY eve, we have swapped out the traditional steamboat with packed zichar food and eventually just fast food deliveries over the years. However, the essence of having the dinner still remains, despite the gradual shift in food consumed, and that is making the time to have a meal together as a family on reunion night.

On subsequent days of CNY when greetings are exchanged, customary phrases have become superseded by a simplistic ‘Happy New Year’ and the act of presenting mandarin oranges replaced by a firm handshake. All these customs symbolize the conveyance of blessings whose purpose, I guess, is still being fulfilled albeit in a modernized manner.

Visiting used to be a mainstay in my family but as the years went by, the number of families we visit each year has declined with the passing of the elders. Household size has also shrunken over the years as children grow up, get married and set up families of their own. These days, the only reason we visit is to pay respects to the elders who have difficulties in leaving the house.

This year, I spent more time visiting friends and colleagues than my own relatives which would have been unimaginable in the past. But I guess this is a kind of natural progression as families become distant, which is especially true for me as I’m not as close to my cousins as some of my friends are. Still, I’m thankful I got to enjoy some of the CNY festivities in spite of all this.