According to Chinese custom, prior to the big day, you should clean as much as you can to ensure good fortune in the new year. This denotes a new beginning and the removal of bad luck or negative emotions from the previous year. The poem "Cleaning an Attic" by Brent Pallas is perfect for this topic because the speaker sorts through old memories to decide which ones to keep and which to discard. It's possible that doing your own cleaning will make your home sparkle, but it doesn't have to. It could also entail letting go of any negative energy you've been carrying around inside.

Red is a lucky color in Chinese culture, and on Chinese New Year, dressing in red and decorating your home can bring good fortune. Additionally, it is believed to ward off evil spirits. According to legend, the mythical beast Nian is afraid of red, so dressing in red and hanging red decor keeps it away. The touching story of a young redbird who finds a mate is told in the book "Redbird Love" by Joy Harjo. The beauty, power, and pride of the redbird are empowering themes to bring into the new year.