Everyday Life
What do childhood memories of New Year gifts and staying up reveal about family differences?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Dao Xuan and I recalled childhood New Years: playing with relatives after reunion dinner, finally staying up later, offering auspicious greetings to elders, and happily receiving gift money. Whether to kneel to receive it differed by family. Some did not; more traditional grandfathers or great-uncles in other families required it.
These are different family memories, not a single set of customs everyone must follow. Discussion of children getting upset or angry after losing games recalled childhood incidents, not encouragement to gamble with gift money.
Adult busyness makes gathering everyone difficult, making those lively memories more precious. Beyond activities and etiquette, I cherish wishing elders well and spending good time with family.