{"id":17517,"date":"2021-02-02T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comparehero.my\/blog\/uncategorized\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-celebrate-cny.html"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:24:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T07:24:10","slug":"how-much-does-it-cost-to-celebrate-cny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comparehero.my\/blog\/lifestyle-finance\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-celebrate-cny.html","title":{"rendered":"#CNY2021 \u2013 How Much Does It Cost To Celebrate Chinese New Year During The MCO?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Celebrating Chinese New Year (CNY) during the COVID-19 pandemic and MCO will be a new experience for many Malaysians. Here\u2019s how you can enjoy the festive season safely in the new normal without overspending.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This Chinese New Year will be different from past celebrations, as the COVID-19 pandemic casts a shadow over the festivities. Even though we might be staying indoors, we can still usher in the Year of the Ox with family and friends \u2013 thanks to the wonders of technology. Some of us will not be going back to our hometowns this festive season, but our loved ones are just a video call away.<\/p>\n

So enjoying Chinese New Year in the new norm will take some getting used to. However, there are budget-friendly ways to enliven your celebrations. Check \u2018em out!<\/p>\n

1. Order a reunion dinner set online (delivery\/self pick-up)<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s so convenient to order Chinese New year lunch\/dinner sets online. To minimise social contact in the new normal, you can either have the meals delivered to your home or you can pick them up yourself.<\/p>\n

Many restaurants are currently offering a variety of festive lunch\/dinner bundles at different price ranges, so you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting delectable feasts for your reunion dinner, CNY day one, day two and so on.<\/p>\n

Besides minimising the risk of COVID-19 infection by celebrating the festive season at home, you\u2019ll also be avoiding the pre-pandemic hassle of finding parking space in a crowded mall, as well as paying for parking tickets and petrol.<\/p>\n

Of course, if your family members are staying outstation, you\u2019ll be sure to miss them. So do give them a video call. Show them the festive meals that you\u2019ll be having. Better yet, you can also order a similar meal bundle for them! Nothing says \u201cI love you, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, Sis and Bro\u201d like a thoughtful CNY meal that you handpicked specially for your loved ones.<\/p>\n

Your estimated expenses:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
CNY Lunch\/Dinner Sets<\/strong><\/td>\nPrices<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heaven Eat\u2019s CNY Bundle<\/a> (signature chicken breasts, chicken chop, rainbow dumplings and meatballs)<\/td>\nRM188.80 (up to 10 ppl)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Good Luck Gift Pack by Gather Gather Kitchen<\/a> (herbal roast duck, golden combination platter, osmanthus fried rice and fried kam heong lala)<\/td>\nRM238 (5 ppl)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fullest Symphony Poon Choy by Village Grocer<\/a> (abalone, ming har prawns, smoked duck breasts, braised chicken, mushrooms, stewed dao bou and fried yam)<\/td>\nRM388 (8 ppl)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Related:<\/strong> Where To Shop For CNY Goodies On A Budget <\/a><\/p>\n

2. Get affordable CNY face masks<\/h2>\n

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As the pandemic continues, manufacturers have come up with different designs and colours for face masks.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the new norm, your face mask can become a fashion accessory as well. As the pandemic continues, manufacturers have come up with different designs and colours for face masks. Now, as we usher in the Year of the Ox, there are also CNY and ox-inspired facial masks in the market.<\/p>\n

A quick search on online shopping platforms like Lazada and Shopee will reveal dozens of festive masks for the Lunar New Year. Their designs range from quirky and cute to classy and elegant.<\/p>\n

These masks are apparently popular, with some distributors having sold more than 1,000 packs online. Pricewise, a 50-piece pack of these disposable three-ply (three-layer) festive masks costs between RM10 and RM30 on Shopee. They are cheaper than the regular Medex Face Masks (RM35 for a 50-piece pack) that are sold at pharmacies like Guardian.<\/p>\n

However, you should also check with online mask retailers to make sure that the masks you\u2019ll be receiving are quality products. In addition to looking trendy this festive season, you should also stay protected during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Your estimated expenses:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
CNY face masks<\/td>\nPrices<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medical grade Chinese New Year masks (Skin Hygiene<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM9.88 (50 pcs)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CNY disposable 3ply masks (Pissardo Gallery<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM11.88 – RM12.88 (50 pcs)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Limited edition God of Prosperity CNY face masks (Iconic Medicare<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM35 (50 pcs)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Get the best out of your online shopping experience with Maybank Shopee Credit Card!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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3. Spruce up your home with festive DIY decor<\/h2>\n

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With festive home decorations, you can create a CNY-inspired look and feel for your virtual gatherings.<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite staying indoors, you can still create a festive look and feel for your home. Decorate your place with acrylic wallpaper, spring blossoms, ornaments and other festive elements that strike your fancy.<\/p>\n

You can purchase these decorations via online shopping platforms. Log on to sites such as Shopee or Lazada and you\u2019ll find a plethora of CNY decorations that cater to every taste. You could also order in bulk to enjoy free shipping.<\/p>\n

Once again, as you\u2019re not travelling or shopping at many brick-and-mortar stores during this festive season, you\u2019ll be able to save on petrol and parking. However, not visiting your loved ones in person can be a bummer as well. You can make up for the social distancing by organising memorable, festive video calls with your family and friends. Be sure to share your surroundings and backdrop with your loved ones. Let them bask in the joyful CNY ambience as well!<\/p>\n

Your estimated expenses:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
CNY decorations<\/strong><\/td>\nPrices<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lucky Ox Ornaments (Lilyz0827 on Shopee<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM1.73 – RM3.90 per piece<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Premium Sakura Decor (The Craft Decor<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM18.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CNY 3D Acrylic Wallpaper (One Apple<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM22.80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Related:<\/strong> Ultimate Guide To E-Wallet In Malaysia 2021 \u2013 Which Should You Get?<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Share CNY cookies<\/h2>\n

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Many bakeries are offering home deliveries, so you can order your favourite pineapple tarts and kuih kapit.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the new normal, there\u2019s one Chinese New Year tradition that hasn\u2019t changed. Festive cookies are still easily available! If you\u2019re looking for the best bakeries, just search online or ask around. (We\u2019re sure your family and friends have their own recommendations.)<\/p>\n

Many bakeries are also offering home deliveries, so you can order your favourite pineapple tarts and kuih kapit. Having cookies delivered to your doorstep means you\u2019ll never have to brave through traffic congestions and crowds to buy these goodies ever again. The time saved from going out is priceless.<\/p>\n

As these bakeries also offer free delivery for purchases above RM100\/RM150, you can also show your loved ones that you\u2019re thinking of them this festive season by ordering some scrumptious cookies for them. Remember to save some of these mouthwatering delights for yourself.<\/p>\n

Your estimated expenses:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
CNY cookies<\/strong><\/td>\nPrices<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ngaku Chips (Golden Ox Cookies<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM18.80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pineapple tarts (Delectable By Su<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crispy Crab Sticks (Swee Hong Biscuit<\/a>)<\/td>\nRM24<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

5. With e-ang pows, you can save time and reduce paper usage<\/h2>\n

Near or far, no matter where your loved ones are, you can still send them ang pows (or receive red packets from them). However, instead of giving out physical ang pows this time around, the funds will be transferred via online banking.<\/p>\n

To make money transfers more convenient, you can also use DuitNow<\/a>, an inter-bank money transfer service that enables you to transfer to your recipient\u2019s DuitNow ID. This service is available on many online banking sites and mobile banking apps.<\/p>\n

Setting up your DuitNow ID is simple:<\/p>\n