Another four days to the Lunar New Year ! *gasp*
How are your preparations for Spring? This year, we kept things simple.
Have a look at our activities leading to Chinese New Year:
For art and craft, we’ve made a “大头娃娃” or “big head doll” – usually seen at a lion dance performance or Chinese New Year street celebration.
Materials:
- Paper bag or plastic bag
- Newspaper
- Cellophane tape
- Chopstick,straw or stirrer
- Crepe paper or coloured tissue paper
- Self-adhesive labels
Directions:
- Crush some newspaper into a ball. Secure with cellophane tape.
- Put newspaper ball into paper bag or a plastic bag. This will be the doll’s head.
- Insert a chopstick, straw or stirrer into the newspaper ball.
- Secure stick and bag with cellophane tape.
- Use crepe paper or coloured tissue paper to make the doll’s hair.
- You may also use crepe paper to decorate the doll’s hair (flowers or hair accessory).
- Draw the doll’s eyes, nose and mouth on the self-adhesive label.
- Cut out the label and stick them onto the doll’s face.
This craft can be made within minutes. I find it almost impossible to craft while keeping an active toddler under radar at the same time! More Chinese New Year crafts can be found here and here.
Here’s what Elijah did while we made “大头娃娃” or “big head doll”.
Happily mopping the floor for 15 minutes max. Otherwise, he’ll probably rip the doll’s hair or chew its eyes and nose.
Our Lunar New Year decoration kept fairly simple: hanging couplets around the house, and New Year stickers stuck on our door.
This week, “贺新年” (a festive song) has been playing over the phone. We desperately need to learn another Chinese New Year song, other than “恭喜恭喜”!
贺新年 “He Xin Nian” Lyrics
贺新年 祝新年
新年哪 年连年
爆竹声声催人想幼年
贺新年 祝新年
新年哪 年连年
岁月悠悠光阴如箭
回首往事如烟 痛苦辛酸
寄望从今万事如愿
贺新年 祝新年
新年哪 年连年
愿大家都过个太平年
The song translates:
Happy New Year, wishing you well in the new year;
The new year comes year after year;
The sound of firecrackers remind people of yesteryear;
Happy New Year, wishing you well in the new year;
The new year comes year after year;
Time flies like an arrow;
Looking back in sorrow;
Hoping things are looking up;
Happy New Year, wishing you well in the new year;
The new year comes year after year;
May everyone enjoy a peaceful year.
Organization, spring-cleaning, decluttering! I wasn’t able to do as much as I would like to. But I take comfort knowing that it’s always ongoing.
Here’s a nifty trick to organize the hub’s neck ties. Inspired by the numerous organizing tips on Pinterest. 🙂
Finally, we made our yearly trip to Chinatown to see the Chinese New Year decorations and people-watch as they queue up as early as 5am to buy Bak Kwa (savoury sweet BBQ meat).
In my opinion, the best view of Chinatown’s decorations and surroundings can be seen at the Garden Bridge. Head to Exit C at Chinatown MRT Station. Then take the lift to Garden Bridge. You’ll get a good view of the decorations together with prominent buildings like The Majestic and Yue Hwa Building.
If you have older children or plan to do a tour around Chinatown, be sure to read up the historical facts about Chinatown compiled by “Singapore Lost & Filed”. I surely found them useful!
HOMESCHOOL CRAFTS 