Since I was a kid, I’ve heard about the Lunar New Year from my friends, who are celebrating it. I’ve known I was born in the year of the pig forever, and used to be engaged with all parts of the celebrations, from the food to the history and more. There’s something in the air during the celebrations – bright red and gold decorations, the smell of food, the sense of community that brings everyone together. It’s a chance to honor traditions and eat way too many dumplings like I did last night.

At school, clubs like Diversity Club and Asian Pacific Islanders Club turn the hallways red and gold, for luck and prosperity. They attached paper lanterns to the ceilings, student-made artwork on the walls, and organized different festivities during lunchtime. The best part for me was watching my classmates awkwardly try to use chopsticks at the food station before giving up and stabbing their dumplings with a fork. I’m pretty sure they brought forks knowing the chopsticks would be too difficult for some. 

Celebrations in our community are exciting as well. Families come together to share traditional foods like long noodles for longevity and sweet rice cakes for prosperity—because who doesn’t want an extra dose of good fortune? The night ended with fireworks (or at least a few enthusiastic children popping confetti launchers) to symbolize driving away the bad spirits. And, of course, the tradition of the red envelope, where kids get their “lucky money” as the grown-ups urge them not to spend it frivolously.

What makes the Lunar New Year so meaningful is that people are brought together not only by a shared culture or background but also by learning about others. People choose to learn about cultures in an interactive way, be it through a history lesson, a hands-on activity like making origami dragons, or just hanging out with new friends while eating cultural foods. It brings back the awareness that these cultural celebrations are not just about people who grew up with them, but about creating new bonds and sharing appreciation for tradition.

So while we’re ringing in the Year of the Snake, remember that the Lunar New Year is all about fresh starts, joy, and community. And if you happen to be at a celebration next year, do yourself a favor: grab an extra rice cake. It’s good luck, after all!