Red, the colour of prosperity at Chinese New Year, carries profound significance for Christians as it symbolises the blood of Jesus, the Source of true blessing. 

“During Chinese New Year, it is a tradition for every household to paste the word 福 (prosperity),” said Chopsticks Store owner Moses  Zhao.

“Everyone wants blessings, which symbolises a happy life, but true blessings and happiness come from God.”

What better occasion to remember that the love of Christ ran red and to share that message with guests and loved ones? 

Here are seven ways to dress up your home this Chinese New Year with the Gospel of Christ.

1. Spring wreaths proclaiming everlasting life: The Treasure Box

Why limit wreaths to Christmas?  

Symbolising everlasting life, wreaths are every bit as relevant on Chinese New Year heralding new beginnings.

Modified to celebrate Chinese New Year, these wooden wreaths are crafted with cheery spring blooms and festive elements encircling a plate of blessing in Chinese.

This three-dimensional ornament catches the eye and is a great way to spark conversations about God and faith. Photo by The Treasure Box.

“We wanted to produce ornaments that would not be limited to the festive season, but could be beautiful statement pieces throughout the year,” explained Esther Foong, designer and co-founder of The Treasure Box (TBB).

Esther hopes the three-dimensional ornament is eye-catching and serves to spark conversations about God and faith.

Each design is anchored in a theme verse: Psalm 23:5 – God’s grace overflows. Philippians 4:7 – peace and joy. Joshua 24:15 – blessed home.

S$25 for one wreath and S$46 for two.

These wreaths and TBB’s popular family calligraphy kit are available online or at these stores:

• The Ink Room at City Harvest Church (Level 6 Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 605 during weekend services)
• For the One (9 King Albert Park, #01-70, Singapore 598332)

2. Let the children come: Lil Big Blessings

Social media may display cheery pictures of young families in matching red outfits and cute little kids bearing mandarin oranges.

Behind those photos are often the reality of tired children forced to smile at unfamiliar faces, and picky eaters resisting new foods.

A mother to three young children, Lil Big Blessings founder HS Lee turned to God for ideas on she could make the occasion more meaningful for her children.

Wall decor to inspire meaningful conversations between Christian parents and children about God as the ultimate Source of blessing. Photo by Lil Big Blessings.

She was reminded that Chinese New Year, with its emphasis on blessings and prosperity, provides a wonderful opportunity to teach children that all our blessings come from Him and through Him.

HS designed these couplet posters to declare faith-inspired blessings over children and all who visit the homes.

“I hope they will inspire meaningful conversations with our children about recognising God as the ultimate Source of our blessings, rather than relying on traditions,” HS pointed out.  

In a generation where Chinese has largely been relegated to exams, HS hopes her products ignite curiosity about Chinese characters. The posters come with a free colouring sheet.

Pre-orders have closed but limited copies are available via the online store for S$22 per set.

3. Grace in Full Bloom: The Good Makers Company

This series of stunning wood carvings offer nine different sayings in Chinese to inspire and encourage guests this Chinese New Year.

The sayings include “Emmanuel”, “bountiful grace and overflowing blessings”, “God bless this home” and “Jesus loves you”. 

“’Grace in full bloom’ reflects growth and hope,” owner Delores Ty said, explaining the name of her collection. “Grace represents blessings, and bloom represents transformation and flourishing.”

The Grace in Full Bloom collection of wood carvings offers nine options of blessings.  Photo by The Good Makers Company.

“Every piece of wood is unique so customers can pick in the store what they like,” she told Salt&Light. 

Each Grace in Full Bloom wood carving is priced at S$45.  This collection and other decor are available till February 28 at its pop-up store at the atrium of Velocity @Novena, 238 Thomson Rd, Singapore 307683.

Check out other Chinese New Year decor at the online store. 

4. Carved in wood: Chopsticks Store

In addition to traditional Chinese New Year greetings, paper cuttings and red envelopes that this store is known for, owner Moses Zhao has launched a series of small festive wood carvings for the home and car that proclaim the blessings of God.

If you’re looking for something really impactful, he also offers large scrolls of Biblical blessings in Chinese and English measuring 1.3 metres. Apart from traditional gold-plated wall hangings, the store offers high-end versions such as embroidery.

Among the range of traditional Chinese New Year decor is also a series of pillows featuring Bible verses and a collection of doormats with words of blessings. 

Prices range from $2 for wood carvings with tassels, S$15-S$22 for couplets, depending on size, and S$38 for the embroidered versions. 

“Everyone wants blessings but true blessings and happiness come from God,” said Moses Zhao, owner of Chopsticks Store. Photo by Moses Zhao. 

Chopsticks Store carries an extensive range of Chinese New Year decor at its store at 39 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059198. Tel: 6635-6683

5. Draw them with magnets: Etton Bookstore

These acrylic fridge magnets featuring Bible blessings and exhortations offer a new way to dress up your home this Chinese New Year. Choose from three designs: “The path of grace”, “the blessed life couplet” and “peace be with you”.

Fridge magnets are a new way to draw the attention to the Gospel during this festive season. Photo courtesy of Etton Bookstore

Etton Bookstore stocks a comprehensive range of Chinese New Year decor including window and door decals, paper cuttings for wall and door, and felt lanterns bearing Chinese and English Bible verses.

Fridge magnets are S$8 for the set. Get them online or at its store at 10 Toh Guan Road (The Furniture Mall), #03-06, Singapore 608838

6. Adorn with New Year treats: Gospel Goodies

There are few better ways to get to the heart than the belly: These pineapple tarts serve as edible decor.

“We engraved these verses on the lid of the jars in the hope that the Scriptures remain with our loved ones throughout the year,” said Gospel Goodies founder Sylvia Gan. Photos by Gospel Goodies.

Inspired by the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24, the tarts are embossed with three different blessings in Chinese: Prosperity, grace and peace (福,恩,安). They are packaged in a reusable glass container with the Aaronic blessing engraved on the cover.

So each time your guests open the jar, the priestly blessing will greet them.

“We selected the priestly blessing in Numbers because it is a non-threatening way to introduce non-believers to God’s love,” Gospel Goodies founder Sylvia Gan told Salt&Light.

“We engraved these verses on the lid of the jars in the hope that the Scriptures remain with our loved ones not just during the festive season, but throughout the year.”

For baking enthusiasts who would like to spark conversations about God with your baked goods, the tart moulds bearing 福恩安 are available for purchase as well. 

S$35 for a 450g jar of pineapple tarts. S$24 for the mould which comes in a reusable jar. Order by January 25 for delivery by January 28. For delivery after February 3, allow at least two days for your order. 

Get the tarts and mould here.

7. Say it with stickers: The Commandment Co.

Dress up mandarin oranges, hongbaos and anything else you’d like with these nine stickers of blessings. S$3.90 for the set of nine stickers.

Dress up your oranges, hongbaos and homes with stickers. Photo by The Commandment Co.

Available online or at The Commandment Co. store at 231 Bain Street (Bras Basah Complex), #04-41, Singapore 180231

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