It is popularly recognized as the Spring Festival and celebrations last 15 days. A huge clean-up gets underway days before the New Year, when Chinese houses are cleaned from top to bottom, to sweep away any traces of bad luck. Themes such as happiness, wealth, and longevity appear on the cut-outs and in the couplets. The eve of the New Year is perhaps the most exciting part of the event, and anticipation is high. Traditions and rituals are very carefully observed in everything from food to clothing.
Dinner is usually a feast of seafood and dumplings, signifying different good wishes.
It is usual to wear something red as this color is meant to ward off evil spirits - but black and white are out, as these are associated with mourning. After dinner, the family stays up all night playing cards, board games, or watching TV programs dedicated to the occasion. At midnight, the sky is lit up by fireworks. On the day itself, an ancient custom called Hong Bao, meaning Red Packet, takes place. This involves married couples giving children and unmarried adults money in red envelopes.