While some of us toast champagne and blow on those obnoxious noisemakers when the ball drops, New Balance plans to ring in the new year the NB way with sneakers releases.

At the top of the year, the Boston-based footwear label is blessing us with the "Lunar New Year" collection, a pack of sneakers honoring the Chinese New Year.

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Naturally, the New Balance 550 — the brand's biggest model right now — leads the pack. Crafted with a leather and suede upper, the 550s arrive in two neutral color schemes of nude and off-white matched with red accents.

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Next up in the drop are three 2002R sneakers, another fan-favorite New Balance model. For the Lunar New Year collection, the brand supplies us with two casual colorways: one grey and the other a chocolatey brown similar to the JJJJouund's recent collab.

A Protection Pack-style iteration concludes the 2002R offering, boasting various purple shades and that familiar, beloved deconstructed look (it's nearly twinning with the recent pink release).

New Balance's Lunar New Year mix also possesses 574 sneakers in nude and red color schemes and a 9060 rendered in a tasteful grey palette.

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Muted hues pretty much comprise this New Balance collection, symbolizing the feelings of warmth and togetherness exuded by family and friends during the holidays.

You'll also notice the recurring presence of red — evident in each shoe's insole, shoelace options, and New Balance branding — which nod to the color's association with good luck and happiness in Chinese culture.

Natives like to wear the hue in welcoming the New Year to embrace the forthcoming good vibes and ward off the bad (note to self: wear more red).

The New Balance collection will be released on January 1 via atmos Tokyo's website and select New Balance locations. Though the Chinese New Year commences on January 22, it gives NB fans celebrating the holiday time to plan 'fits with their new sneakers (if they're lucky to cop).

​​To stay updated on everything happening in the sneaker world, check out the best sneakers to add to your rotation this week, follow @highsnobietysneakers on Instagram, and sign up to our newsletter for early access to the best drops sent straight to your inbox.

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