How to celebrate Chinese New Year at iQ
This Chinese New Year starts on 17th Feb, and it’s never too early to start planning how you’ll celebrate the Year of the Horse. The Year of the Horse is all about positivity, new opportunities and finding success, so why not embrace these themes by having a deep clean, sharing food with friends or going to an event?
Get cleaning
Prepare for the New Year by tidying your space, so you’re ready to welcome in new positive energy. For belongings taking up too much space, use your iQ exclusive discount to store them at LOVESPACE ‘til you need them again.
Check out iQ events
Check the app noticeboard to see if your iQ team are hosting any events or activities - maybe they’re offering free treats or hosting a party. Events offer the opportunity to come together with other residents and share in the excitement of Chinese New Year, without having to leave your building.
Watch the CCTV Gala
Use your superfast wifi to livestream the CCTV Gala with your friends. The gala is an impressive annual variety show shown on China’s New Year’s Eve (12pm Monday 16th February UK time). Set up your own device or plan to show it on the big screen with your friends if you’ve got an iQ cinema.
Cook a family dinner
If you and your mates are keen SupperClub members, assign everyone with different dishes and hold your own family dinner, like you might have at home. Book a private dining room or use a shared kitchen, so you can relax and enjoy the time together.
Go for a meal
If you’d rather someone else made the food, try out a local Chinese restaurant. Your city might even have a Chinatown! Find some tasty options below:
- Egham - The Mira Restaurant
- London - 八大八小 The Eight Restaurant
- Brighton – Mr Wang Hotpot
- Huddersfield – Royal City
- Nottingham – WOWO Chinese Takeaway and Diner
Go to a local celebration
You may not be in China, but Chinese New Year events are held up and down the UK. Gather your friends and visit one in your city - they’re often free! We’ve linked a few spots hosting events here:
- Chinatown, London
- Chinatown, Manchester
- The Burrell Collection, Glasgow
- Oxford Town Hall, Oxford
- City Centre, Liverpool
- Hippodrome, Birmingham
Wear red
Red clothes and accessories are ideal for bringing in prosperity, so make sure to wear them for all your Chinese New Year festivities. If you don’t have anything red, why not pop to your local charity shop to look for affordable pieces.
Give a red pocket
It might not be super traditional to give red pockets (red envelopes containing money) to your friends - mostly they're exchanged between family - but it can still be a sweet gesture to mark Chinese New Year. Instead of putting money inside, you could opt for a little handwritten note or a chocolate coin. It’s the thought that counts.
Happy Chinese New Year from iQ! We wish you a wonderful Year of the Horse. We're sure it'll also be a year of bests.
