Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in Singapore. It is celebrated by Singapore’s Chinese community, which makes up around 74% of the population. During this time, families come together to celebrate and bond with one another.

One of the key traditions of Chinese New Year is the reunion dinner, which typically takes place on New Year’s Eve. Family members who live away from home, such as those working or studying in another city or country, will make the journey back to be with their loved ones. The reunion dinner is a time for families to catch up and reminisce about the past year, and to make plans for the year ahead.

Traditionally, the reunion dinner is a grand and elaborate affair, with many different dishes being served to symbolize prosperity and good luck for the coming year. Some popular dishes include fish, dumplings, and noodles. Food plays an important role during Chinese New Year and it’s significant during the reunion dinner to not only symbolize the gathering of family but also the prosperity of the upcoming year.

After the reunion dinner, the first two days of Chinese New Year are spent visiting relatives and friends. This is known as “bai nian” in Mandarin, which means “to pay a New Year visit.” People will typically visit the most senior members of their family first, such as grandparents and parents, before visiting other relatives and friends. During these visits, it’s common to exchange gifts, such as red packets filled with money, and to catch up on the past year.

Family bonding during Chinese New Year is not limited to the Chinese community in Singapore. There is a Chinese saying 家和万事兴 meaning If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand – “family harmonious everything prospers”. It further means that everything will go well in the face of harmonious families (learn more). Therefore, Chinese New Year family gathering is of importance to people in Singapore.

Many families in Singapore come together during this time of the year to celebrate, to bond and to share in the joy of reunion.

What To Expect In 2023 Chinese New Year And Beyond

It is 2023 now and though we are still in the midst of the pandemic, the restrictions of social distancing have been relaxed. And this is the first Chinese New Year since 2021 where we can all enjoy in group sizes limitlessly.

Do you still remember the Chinese New Year in 2021 and 2022, where we often have to gather in restricted sizes of 8 or 5 only? And we often worry about the coronavirus infections, especially the dreaded Omicron variant last year in 2022. People also often got infected with the coronavirus during the Chinese New Year 2022 – all the more we must treasure our family bonding moments this Chinese New Year in 2023 when we can mingle about in sizes larger than 10.

Yacht chartering to foster family relationships onboard is a viable option in Singapore. At times when the outdoor weather is very cold in places like China and Taiwan, the Singapore weather outside is still sunny and perfect for outdoor gathering. Onboard the yacht, you can enjoy the sunset during evening reunion dinner sessions, feel the windy sea breeze on your face and even watch beautiful wave patterns of the waters, while socializing in the vessel. There are also other unique ways of family bonding too.

Good Tips For Family Bonding Onboard The Yacht

Yacht chartering can be a great way for families to bond and create memories together in Singapore. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning a yacht charter for a family bonding experience:

1. Choose the right yacht: When chartering a yacht, it’s important to consider the size and layout of the vessel. If you have a large family, you may want to consider a bigger yacht with multiple cabins and common areas to ensure that everyone has enough space. It’s also a good idea to look for yachts with amenities that cater to families, such as a large sun deck or a swimming platform.
2. Plan your itinerary: Think about the activities and experiences you want to have on your yacht charter and plan your itinerary accordingly. Consider whether you want to anchor in a quiet bay or cruise along the coast, and whether you want to include swimming, fishing, or snorkeling. Plan to do activities together as a family on the yacht that you all may enjoy.
3. Hire a professional crew: A professional crew can take care of all the details, from sailing and navigating to preparing meals and maintaining the yacht, which will allow your family to relax and focus on bonding. Consider hiring a crew that has experience with families, as they will have the skills to keep children entertained and safe.
4. Take time to relax: Yacht chartering can be a great opportunity to disconnect from the daily grind and spend quality time with your family. Make sure to schedule in some downtime where everyone can relax, read a book or enjoy the scenery.
5. Be mindful of safety: Always prioritize safety when sailing and ensure that everyone on board knows how to use the safety equipment and follows the crew’s instructions. Before embarking on the charter, make sure that you are aware of the rules, regulations and laws of the sea.
6. Choose the perfect food catering: For the Chinese New Year reunion dinner, it doesn’t go without food catering options of course. Apart from sandwiches, chicken wings, satay sticks and other food options you may consider, you can also order the traditional yu sheng – the symbol of prosperity blessing which families can lo hei together.

By keeping these tips in mind, your family yacht charter can be a wonderful opportunity to bond, relax, and create memories together. The Singapore waters have much to offer in terms of scenic views, marine life and great sailing experience, and a yacht charter is the perfect way to experience them.

Moving On

In conclusion, Chinese New Year is an important time for family bonding in Singapore. The reunion dinner, visiting relatives and friends, and the lion and dragon dance are all traditions that bring families together to celebrate and bond with one another. These traditional practices not only strengthen the relationship within the family but also enhance the sense of community in Singapore.

Also, beyond Chinese New Year, 2023 has other magical family moments where you can do family bonding time in seasons like Hari Raya Puasa, Mid-Autumn Festival, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Deepavali, Christmas Day and some other festive seasons.

Book our yacht with Valencia Yachts today, to celebrate Chinese New Year for the perfect family bonding opportunities this season. We have food catering for you to customise for your festive needs and that includes the yu sheng, soft drinks, beer, wine and even Mandarin oranges too.