Nian gao, locally known as tikoy, is a traditional and delicious way to welcome the Chinese New Year. This plate was prepared by the chefs of New World Makati Hotel, which is offering a special menu for this year's celebration. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The next Lunar New Year, or Year of the Wood Dragon, will kick off on February 10, 2024.

And if you want to attract some luck and positive energy (nothing in life guarantees prosperity but hey, it wouldn't hurt to try), here are some tips from feng shui expert Patrick Lim Fernandez on how to prepare yourself, your home, and the dining table for Chinese New Year.

STARTING FRESH

According to Fernandez, getting ready for the Lunar New Year is all about starting fresh, from updating your look to letting go of debts and emotional baggage.

"In the days leading up [to Chinese New Year], try to get a haircut," he told ABS-CBN News, adding that it is also a good idea to wear new clothes and underwear during the celebration.

"Try to pay off all personal debts if you can," he added. "These are like the personal loans you've made from friends and family. Also, if you have any emotional grudges, try to resolve that before the new year."

If you intend to stick to tradition, here are some things you can do, as suggested by Fernandez: Fill a bin with grains and add an ang pao -- or those little envelopes with gold Chinese characters -- with P168 inside. "Put in rice or any grain of choice -- if you're having quinoa, adlai, black rice, etc. Fill it to the brim to signify overabundance and put an ang pao of P168 inside," he said.

Noting that Chinese New Year starts in spring, the feng shui expert advised putting fresh flowers in different parts of the home to signify growth and vibrancy, and giving ang pao with any denomination to family members.

And since the goal is to attract more luck, try to avoid sweeping as this might lead to the opposite, Fernandez said.

'LUCKY' FOOD

Fernandez, who has been New World Makati Hotel's go-to feng shui expert (he also has a shop at the hotel called Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony), also shared some of the "lucky" food that is traditionally part of the dining table during Chinese New Year celebrations.

He recommended five fruits that, for the Chinese, signify different things: pomelo for cleansed energy, orange for success, pineapples for luck coming in, apples for harmony and peace, and dragon fruit for victory and power.

"Have that in even numbers -- so 2, 4, 6, however you can fit," he said.

Roasted meats, according to Fernandez, have long been associated by the Chinese with big celebrations, Fernandez noted. Seafood is generally a good addition to the Chinese New Year table, particularly shrimp and fish.

 Steamed live garoupa with soy sauce, which is part of New World Makati Hotel's Chinese New Year menu. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 

"Try to have one whole fish as this signifies surplus," he said. "But try to leave a little [after eating] if you can to signify that you have more than enough."

Dumplings and rolls are also considered lucky as these resemble gold ingots and gold bars, said the feng shui expert, while the nian gao is also a must-have in Lunar New Year festivities.

"It's everyone's favorite," he said of nian gao, which is made of glutinous rice flour and is locally known as tikoy. "It signifies growth, prosperity, and sticking together."

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