The Spring Festival, the most solemn traditional festival of the Chinese nation, is not only a festival, but also a bridge, connecting distant thoughts and the warmth of home. At this moment of thousands of lights, we embarked on the annual New Year's greeting trip to relatives, with respect for the elders and blessings to relatives and friends, shuttling between the city and the countryside, feeling the temperature of the Spring Festival and the taste of home.
On Chinese New Year's Eve, every household is busy pasting Spring Festival couplets and hanging red lanterns, and my family is no exception. The bright red couplets are pasted on both sides of the door, and the black letters in gold and border symbolize the auspiciousness and happiness of the new year. When the clock struck midnight, our family sat around the living room, each holding a cup of hot tea, watching the Spring Festival Gala on the TV screen, laughter and applause. Outside the window, fireworks burst into flames, decorating the night sky.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, we wake up early, change into new clothes, and prepare for the first important event of the new year - New Year's greetings. Breakfast is a handmade dumpling made by my mother, with thin skin and many fillings, each of which contains full of blessings. After the meal, we took the carefully prepared gifts and set off for a relative's house.
At the first stop, we went to my aunt's house. My aunt was a hospitable person, and her living room was already filled with fruit bowls, sweets, and dried fruits. The little cousin greeted us excitedly, his eyes shining, clearly looking forward to the red envelope he was about to receive. We sat around on the couch and chatted about the past year, while my aunt served homemade desserts and hot tea. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant, as if time had slowed down.
Next, we went to the homes of several distant relatives. Everywhere you go, you can see different styles of decoration and different flavors of snacks. Some of the homes are decorated with beautiful floral works, while others are handmade window grilles and paper cuts by children. In the homes of these relatives, we not only tasted a variety of delicacies, but also received many warm blessings and sincere care.
Lunch is usually served at the home of the closest relatives. The table is filled with a variety of delicacies, from traditional dumplings, fish and meat, to innovative Western pastries. The topics at the dinner table ranged from household trivialities to national affairs. Everyone chatted while eating, and had a good time. After the meal, the elders will give red envelopes to the juniors, which is an affirmation of the young people's hard work for a year and good wishes for their future life.
Afternoons always pass very quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it is time to say goodbye. Although we are reluctant, we know that the meaning of the Spring Festival is not only to reunite, but also to convey love and blessings. Every New Year's greeting is a heart-to-heart exchange, and every blessing is a cherishing of family affection.
The year 2024 is getting stronger As night falls, we return to our homes. Although the body is a little tired, the mind is full and satisfied. The lights in the house were warm and bright, and my parents were sorting out the various gifts and red envelopes they had received, while I sat on the sofa, reminiscing about what I had seen and heard throughout the day.