Open house

THE Ng family home off Changi Road is party central when it comes to Chinese New Year. "Chinese New Year is quite a big deal for us," says Eddie Ng, managing director of Museum Homes interior design firm and Phyto Hair Science.

On the first day of Chinese New Year, Mr Ng will host about 40 relatives. "My father is the eldest in the family, so everyone visits him to bai nian," says Mr Ng. "He lives with my youngest sister, but he will be here during Chinese New Year, since my home is large enough to accommodate everyone." Relatives will come streaming in after lunch and often stay till dinner. On the menu is a vegetarian buffet as well as some homecooked dishes, and there are plenty of things to do. "The kids will usually be playing in the pool, or some will be playing games upstairs. My older relatives will be singing karaoke in the entertainment room," says Mr Ng.

The second day is when the Ngs head out to visit their relatives. On the third day, Mr Ng throws open his door again, this time hosting friends and business associates. "We always have steamboat on this day," says Mr Ng.