Jeeno Thitikul Welcomes the New Year With Flowers — and a Conversation About Lunar Traditions

BANGKOK — As the New Year approached, professional golfer Jeeno Thitikul chose a quieter way to celebrate than trophies, cameras, or crowded parties. At home, surrounded by friends and family, she spent the morning arranging fresh flowers in the living room — a symbolic gesture of welcome, warmth, and new beginnings.

The scene was simple: vases filled with white lilies, red blossoms, and fragrant greenery, carefully placed across the room. Yet for Jeeno, the act carried deeper meaning — one rooted in culture, memory, and tradition.

Between arranging stems and greeting early visitors, she used the moment to talk to fans about Asian New Year customs, especially the Lunar New Year celebrated across many cultures.

A Personal Touch for the First Guests of the Year

Jeeno describes flower arranging as a grounding ritual — something that slows the pace and opens the door for reflection.

“I like to start the year with fresh flowers,” she explained. “They bring life into the house. They make people feel welcome the moment they walk in.”

The choices were intentional.
Red, symbolizing luck and joy.
White, symbolizing peace.
Green, symbolizing growth.

The living room wasn’t transformed into an elaborate set. Instead, the decorations were modest, layered, and warm — the kind of beauty that feels lived-in rather than staged. Guests arriving throughout the day noticed immediately. Conversations began easier. Smiles lingered. The room felt like an invitation rather than a display.

For Jeeno, that was exactly the point.

More Than Decorations: The Meaning Behind the Season

While many countries celebrate the New Year on January 1, Jeeno took the opportunity to talk about another celebration deeply rooted in Asia — the Lunar New Year.

She shared memories of childhood gatherings, tables full of dishes, and older relatives offering blessings for health and prosperity. She spoke about the importance of preparing the home, cleaning before the holiday, and avoiding arguments or negativity during the celebration.

“Lunar New Year isn’t only a party,” she said. “It’s about respect — for our parents, our grandparents, and the people who helped us grow. It’s about starting clean and starting together.”

Her fans, listening online and through interviews, responded with curiosity and gratitude. Many had heard of Lunar New Year through parades, red envelopes, or travel photos — but hearing the traditions explained from a personal perspective gave the celebration deeper context.

Traditions Passed Through Generations

In her conversation, Jeeno highlighted gestures that may seem small but carry symbolic meaning.

Cleaning the house — not simply for neatness, but to “sweep out bad luck.”
Preparing fruits and sweets — representing abundance in the year ahead.
Wearing new clothes — signaling renewal and hope.
Avoiding sharp words — so that peace sets the tone for the coming months.

She also spoke about honoring ancestors and remembering loved ones. Before feasting and laughter, there is usually a moment of quiet reflection — a reminder that every blessing is connected to the sacrifices of earlier generations.

“These are the parts of tradition that stay with you,” Jeeno noted. “Even when life gets busy, and even when we travel far away.”

Flowers as Symbols of Hope

The floral decorations in Jeeno’s living room connected naturally to these ideas. Across many Asian cultures, flowers hold seasonal meaning during the New Year.

Blossoms represent new beginnings.
Bamboo symbolizes strength and resilience.
Citrus branches suggest fortune and positivity.

By arranging flowers herself — instead of leaving everything to decorators — Jeeno made the space feel thoughtful and intentional. It wasn’t just about beauty. It was about gratitude, mindfulness, and setting the tone for the year.

She smiled when asked why she didn’t simply buy ready-made arrangements.

“Because touching the flowers helps me slow down,” she said. “You think about the people who will walk into the room. You think about what you hope the new year brings.”

Connecting Culture With Fans Around the World

Jeeno’s reflections resonated beyond Asia. Many of her followers come from different continents and cultural backgrounds — yet they recognized familiar themes:

Family.
Hospitality.
Reflection.
Gratitude.

She encouraged fans to explore traditions not just as festival highlights, but as windows into values and history. Cultural practices, she suggested, are bridges — ways to understand one another more deeply.

“Whether it’s Lunar New Year, Songkran, or January 1,” she said, “celebrations remind us to slow down, to be thankful, and to start again with intention.”

A Quiet Celebration With Lasting Meaning

As evening arrived, the room filled with conversation, laughter, and soft music. Guests exchanged greetings, shared food, and admired the flowers one more time before leaving.

The decorations would fade in a few days. The celebrations would pass. But the stories — about family, memory, and cultural identity — lingered.

In an era where celebrations can become loud and rushed, Jeeno’s approach felt refreshing. Instead of spectacle, she chose sincerity. Instead of a stage, she chose her living room. Instead of rehearsed speeches, she shared what the holidays mean to her.

And in doing so, she reminded fans around the world that the heart of any New Year — lunar or otherwise — begins not with fireworks or countdowns, but with home, warmth, and the quiet hope that the year ahead will be kinder than the last.