Top 10 Things to Do with Family at the End of the Year

For those of you living away from home, Tết is the perfect opportunity to visit family. Many of you might be wondering how to surprise your loved ones. Some might return with a more mature, composed demeanor after years of being apart from their parents and family. Others might prepare small gifts for their loved ones, which are not only symbolic in material value but carry deep emotional meaning as well. These gifts reflect the hard work and achievements of the past year while also representing the affection shared with friends and family. The gifts don’t need to be extravagant; they should simply be meaningful and useful for the recipient. It’s even more special when you prepare these gifts together with the person receiving them. For instance, you can take your mom shopping for a new outfit or buy her a scarf, help your dad pick out a beautiful peach blossom branch or kumquat tree, give your grandparents a nice box of tea, or, for something truly unique, you could create a personalized family calendar with memorable moments for everyone to enjoy.

As the year draws to a close, everyone is busy with various tasks, yet the mind remains calm, and there is more time to think about one another. During this time, don’t forget to call your loved ones who are far away to chat, catch up, and inquire about their health and preparations for Tết. You can also share your joys and send your best wishes for the New Year during the sacred moments of the Lunar New Year, even if you can’t be together in person.

As the old year fades and the new one draws near, we naturally embark on a new journey. The past year has been filled with a range of emotions—joys and sorrows, big and small successes. Let’s take a moment to reflect on it together with family.

As the year comes to a close, take some time with your family to reflect on who or what has frustrated you the most over the past year. Let go of any grudges if you can. The more you release, the better. Grab a notebook and jot down the achievements you’ve made this year, as well as the things you’ve failed at. Write down the lessons you’ve learned, so you can avoid those mistakes next year. Set four major goals for the upcoming year: family, career, health, and hobbies. Draw them on paper, etch them into your mind, and carry them with you.

In our everyday lives, saying ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ may seem difficult, yet these simple words have a profound impact on maintaining and strengthening relationships. Their value increases many times over when expressed at the end of the year. Often, a heartfelt thank you or apology not only brings joy to the recipient but can also resolve misunderstandings and ease tensions. People become more forgiving and lighter at heart. Take the time to thank your family, friends, and others around you who have guided, supported, and stood by you throughout the year. Remember, no one achieves success alone—your quality of life is shaped by the relationships you build. So, express your gratitude to those who have contributed to your life today.

Tết is the perfect time to gather together—it’s the one moment when everyone is ‘free’. After a year filled with busy work schedules and worries, we finally leave all that behind and return to our families, where the bonds of love remain as strong as ever, no matter how much time has passed. So, at Tết, put aside the busy roads and return home to host a meaningful year-end meal that will bring the warmth of family to your heart. There’s nothing better than coming home for Tết, surrounded by loved ones, with a table full of traditional dishes prepared with care, each bite made sweeter by the love and effort of your family. Whether you’re sharing a glass of wine, enjoying delicious food, or simply savoring sweet treats, this intimate gathering will strengthen the bonds between family members, making your relationships feel closer and warmer.

The tradition of making bánh chưng for Tết is a cherished cultural practice in Vietnam, passed down through generations. When the Lunar New Year approaches, families across the country prepare bánh chưng to celebrate and offer it to their ancestors. This traditional Vietnamese dish stands out from any other food in the world. The ingredients are simple yet meaningful: sticky rice, pork, mung beans, onions, pepper, dong leaves, and bamboo strings. The square shape of the bánh chưng symbolizes the Earth, the green dong leaves represent nature, the mung beans symbolize good fruit and harvest, pork represents the animals, and the sticky rice is a tribute to the wet rice civilization. For every Vietnamese person, this dish holds a special place in their hearts. During Tết, even a four-year-old child eagerly awaits the moment when family members gather to prepare ingredients for wrapping the bánh chưng. From washing the dong leaves to sorting the mung beans, or simply sitting together for the wrapping session, the atmosphere is filled with joy and laughter. Elders teach the younger ones how to make the perfect bánh chưng, while the children eagerly watch the pots of bánh chưng boil, excited to ring in the New Year together with family, watching fireworks, and hoping for a peaceful, prosperous year ahead. Making bánh chưng is more than just preparing a traditional food—it represents the unity and love shared by family members as they welcome a new year full of happiness and good fortune.

Every year, as Tết approaches, families rush to prepare for the holiday. It’s a tradition that every household takes part in—cleaning and decorating the home. This age-old practice is a beautiful cultural custom among the Vietnamese people, carefully observed each year just before Tết. The purpose is to tidy up and discard the old, making way for a fresh start and inviting good fortune into the New Year. Preparing the home for the holidays is an essential task for every family. Everyone pitches in during their time off, taking stock of what needs fixing, refreshing, or cleaning. To create the perfect Tết atmosphere, help your family by sweeping, arranging flowers, setting up a fruit platter, or even picking up a small branch of peach blossoms or kumquat trees. The bustling energy of everyone working together to prepare for the New Year makes the days leading up to Tết more meaningful and filled with anticipation.

Traveling with family has become one of the most popular ways to relax and unwind. A trip with multiple generations of family members is sure to bring endless joy, creating unforgettable experiences for everyone. Tết is also the longest holiday of the year, making it the perfect time for you and your loved ones to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you decide to explore a new destination or enjoy a simple family picnic, traveling together is a great way to start the New Year. It’s an opportunity for everyone to bond and create lasting memories. Don’t forget to express your love through tight hugs and hand-holding as you share these moments with those you care about during the holiday season.

As the year ends and the New Year begins, everyone looks forward to reuniting with family to celebrate the festive season. Tết is also a time to honor our ancestors with incense offerings, showing our respect and gratitude for those who came before us. Preparing the offering table, with a variety of traditional dishes, is an important part of this ritual. It’s a wonderful opportunity for family members to come together, share moments, and reflect on the year that passed. After the incense is lit and offerings made, the family gathers around the table, enjoying the meal, recounting memories, and discussing plans for the new year. The offerings at the Tết table are not only a sign of respect but also a way to create a warm, bonding atmosphere for the family. Even if you can’t be home due to unforeseen circumstances, try your best to join the family for the New Year’s Eve dinner or the first meal of the year. These moments are special and shouldn’t be missed.