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Writer's pictureKen Koh

Auspicious dates to wind down and reboot your fortunes after the Chinese New Year 2025.

It is time to start planning with some good dates to prepare for the year of the Wood Snake.


Important Dates to observe


21st December 2024 Saturday is Winter Solstice


9th January 2025 Thursday is a Debt Clearing and Spring Cleaning Day

13th January 2025 Monday is a Debt Clearing and Spring Cleaning Day

15th January 2025 Wednesday is a Debt Clearing and Spring Cleaning Day

19th January 2025 Sunday is a Debt Clearing Day

21st January 2025 Tuesday is a Spring Cleaning Day


23rd January 2025 Thursday is the Sending off of the Kitchen God


24th January 2025 Friday is a Stop Work day for Chinese New Year

25th January 2025 Saturday is a Stop Work day for Chinese New Year

27th January 2025 Monday is a Stop Work day for Chinese New Year

28th January 2025 Tuesday is a Stop Work day and the Reunion Day


30th January 2025 Thursday 1.00pm is for start of work after Chinese New Year

1st February 2025 Saturday 9.00am is for start of work after Chinese New Year


3rd February 2025 10.10pm is the official arrival of the Year of the Wood Snake


3rd February 2025 Monday 8.30am is for start of work after Chinese New Year

4th February 2025 Tuesday 8.30am is for start of work after Chinese New Year

5th February 2025 Wednesday 9.00am is for start of work after Chinese New Year

6th February 2025 Thursday 11.00am is for start of work after Chinese New Year


Clearing your debts


It is an important power of reciprocity by returning a favor given to you. This is a fundamental aspect of human relationship that strengthens your sense of responsibility and gratitude. By clearing a debt, stress reduces, your credit gets a boost and it frees up vital resources for other achievements.


A debt may be a financial loan, big or small. You do not have the means to clear it all in one go but the act of reducing it with some efforts goes a long way. We all get help along the way and this is also an opportunity to return the favor by doing something good for this person. If and when we are doing well, be reminded that this is not always all through our own efforts. This period of time is a great opportunity to do something positive for a bigger cause by contributing to society. If you are able, set aside some of your bonuses and donate to charity. If you are unable, volunteer your time and efforts.


When to stop work to prepare for the new year


A tradition worth observing. There is a time for work and then, there is a time to harvest or take stock of what you have done for the past months. Observing a good date to stop work is highly recommended for us to reflect, clear our minds and to put up a strategy to plan ahead and take on the new opportunities for the new year.


The above dates recommended for stop work means you do not return to office on that day on.


However, before you switch off everything, there is something very important to prepare.


This is in preparation to start work after the Chinese New Year holidays and these are some of the things you can do to get ready.


  1. Prepare a working email to be sent on the date and time

  2. Make an appointment for a business meeting on the day you start work

  3. Prepare a business proposal to send out on the day you start work

  4. Prepare to send out a bid or tender on the day you start work

  5. Organize a virtual meeting to kickstart a major project with an overseas partner or prospect on the day you start work

  6. Organize a business meeting involving your superiors with a major prospect or a deserving client

  7. Clean your desk to prepare for the new energies of the new year


Getting back to work if you need to go back to office in person


This is the day to get things right and in order from the start.


Try and start on one of these recommended days. Starting work does not simply equate to walking into the office with a cup of coffee, plan for lunch with colleagues or continue with the celebrations in the office. These are some worthwhile traditions to consider.


  1. Frame yourself positively and be ready to take on the new year

  2. Bring along two pair of mandarin oranges for exchange with your superiors

  3. Place one pair of mandarin oranges and a new year pastry (Fa-Gao or Nian-Gao) on your desk (other localities can replace with their local produce)

  4. Bring a red packet you may have received and place it together with the oranges, best if the red packets are from the bosses

  5. Turn on the radio (online) with your laptop, turn on a small desk light and fan

  6. Pay new year greetings to the superiors and bosses

  7. Make a phone call to a business prospect or associate

  8. Send out a business email

  9. Arrange a meeting with a meal for a prospect or client

  10. Spend the day in office calling and texting greetings to clients


Starting work if you work from home


  1. Pick the appropriate time to start work at your desk

  2. Dress up

  3. Place a pair of mandarin oranges, new year pastry and a red packet you have received on your work desk

  4. Turn on the radio (online) with your laptop, turn on a small desk light and fan

  5. Make a call and pay new year greetings

  6. Make a phone call to a business prospect or associate

  7. Send out a business email

  8. Arrange a meeting with a meal for a prospect or client

  9. Spend half the day at your desk calling and texting greetings to clients

  10. Step out of the house and meet a business prospect or partner

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