11 Things You’ll Understand if You Celebrate Chinese New Year

And so the yearly traditions begin…

1. Growing up, one of the absolute perks of Chinese New Year is being allowed to eat candies first thing you wake up. It’s good luck!

2. And of course, the “candy box 全盒” preparation beforehand: shopping for your favorite sweets, and then piling them into the candy box on the very night before CNY.

3. You hold a “watermelon seeds 瓜子” contest with your siblings or parents. The one who cracks 10 seeds the quickest wins.

4. When your parents ask you to help them fill red packets with banknotes, you double check each lai see so you’re totally sure you didn’t miss any.

5. Three days of subsisting mostly on the endless supply of CNY cakes: turnip, yam and year cakes.

6. When you visit your relatives and all you can think about is WHEN WILL THEY TAKE OUT THE CANDY BOX?!!

7. Marveling at all the relatives that seem to magically appear only during Chinese New Year. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??

8. Answering questions about school, work and your future for the 100th time.

9. And the worst of all: “When are you getting married? Why aren’t you bringing your boyfriend?”

10. It’s all worth it, because LAI SEE MONEY.

11. But if you have siblings — it’s a shitshow when your red packet money does not match up.