How To Host CNY Gatherings Without Stressing Out – New Homeowners Or Those Not Used To Hosting, Take Note

So you finally have a home to call your own and can’t wait to share the joy of hosting Chinese New Year gatherings and parties in your house? Or perhaps you’ve been arrowed to host this year’s gathering after taking a backseat for a long time?

If the idea of hosting guests at home is giving you anxiety, fret not. We’ve rounded up tips, tricks and stuff you need to ensure your first Chinese New Year gathering is a success. No stress involved.

For eating and drinking

Stock up on food and drinks in bulk by buying them online — not only do you save more, someone else literally does the heavy lifting for you (we scoured some great bulk buy deals and CNY snack promos here). If you need free same-day delivery within a two-hour window for urgent restocks, secure your goods at Amazon Fresh (only for Prime members; sign up here for a free 30-day trial).

Hosting reunion dinner? If you’re up for the challenge of preparing the entire meal by yourself, early planning and preparation are necessary to ensure you don’t overwhelm yourself on the day of. Busy families can consider palming off the work to professionals by engaging catering companies and buffet spreads, or make it potluck-style so you can still enjoy second Auntie’s signature ngoh hiang or your cousin’s home bakes.

W\hether you go the DIY route or otherwise, it pays to have a few appliances on hand to ease the workload, such as a steamboat machine, drink dispenser or even enough utensils for all your guests.

For accommodating extra guests

Even if you’ve decided to make the event a stand-and-mingle type of party, people will inevitably want to sit down and rest their feet, especially if you’ve got elderly family members over. 

Here, a foldable table and stackable chairs are your best bets to quickly increase the amount of table and seating space. Their collapsible nature allows you to stow them away in the storeroom without as much room once the party is over. And because more people in your home means more people will be washing their hands at the sink and using the bathroom, we recommend having extra hand towels and absorbent floor mats to keep these areas dry. 

For entertainment

Awkward silence after the aunties have been asking when you’re having kids? Yes, there comes a moment at CNY gatherings when the conversations slowly grind to a halt. That’s when the need for entertainment comes in. While you easily switch on the TV and spend 10 minutes debating on a show that everyone can agree on watching, a game could be a better way to bond the group.

We get that not everyone’s a fan of mahjong or blackjack. That’s when card and board games come in handy (check out these cute CNY editions here). On the flip side, digital gaming consoles offer a wider options of games and take up less storage. 

For home decor and ambience

Keeping things neat and tidy, spick and span in a well-ventilated home to beat the heat are the basic requirements. Beyond that, think about little decor pieces that make your place come truly alive and reflect your personality. We're talking Chinese New Year-themed decorations, reed diffusers for a better ambience, and even a plaque that you can write your WiFi password on because, let’s face it: It’s probably the first thing guests are going to be asking you for when they arrive.