11Things to Do for Tet

As with every culture's new year celebrations, Tet carries many traditions, superstitions, myths, folktales, etc. that imbue these special days with deep meaning. Nowadays, we follow them for fun. We follow them because of family traditions. We follow them to honor our cultural roots. Or, we follow them not at all. There are too many traditions and superstitions to list them all, but here are some:

1. Clean house top to bottom, including painting, especially the door.
2. When sweeping, never sweep out the front door, or luck will go out the door.
3. Wear new clothes. Red is an auspicious color. No unlucky black.
   
4. All debts are paid or forgiven. No grudges kept. Return all borrowed items.
   
5. The first day of the year, nothing should be swept out, because you'll shoo good luck away for the rest of the year.
6. Never cut anything during new year's b/c you'll cut your luck (&/or longevity) in half.
7. The first person to walk through your door will bring you luck. So find the right person w/ the right name, birth year, etc. to be the first to cross your threshold in the new year.
8. When leaving your house for the expected new year visitations, the first thing you see will bold well or ill for your new year. (Those who see bad omens when leaving their house will often go back home, wait, then depart once again just for a fresh start.)
9. Visit family sites, graves, altars, etc.
10. Buy water or give water gifts b/c water suggests that in the new year, money will flow in like water.
    
11. Receive lucky Li Xi envelopes filled with money!!! (Unless you're married, in which case you don't receive lucky Li Xi envelopes but you'll have to give red envelopes to single folks. Oh, the joys of married life.)