Eric He (‘21), Shanghai, China  

Eric usually meets his relatives and has dinner. He had hoped to take some time to travel, but the appearance of Covid cases has since deterred that idea; Eric recalls the lovely taste of spring rolls and dumplings at those dinners. Before the festival begins, Eric cleans up the house, and sticks 春联 (chun lian), Chinese New Year decorations, onto the doors. At night his family would have two separate dinners, one with the relatives on his father’s side, and another with the relatives on his mother’s side. Eric used to enjoy the ability to play with fireworks, but they have since been banned by the government. 

“During the festival, we visit our close relative’s homes and that’s when elders usually hand out red envelopes to me. That’s the best part of Lunar New Year.” Eric said.