New Year's Eve dinner is the most important event when the whole family is present. Preparations for the meal and house cleaning begin days in advance. Special foods are served and more meat the usual is prepared. Dumplings, jiaozi, are considered lucky and will be part of the northern Chinese meal while in a southern household there is likely to be a banquet with many courese including pork,duck,fish, shellfish, chicken, vegetables and a soup or two.
Foods can have a symbolic value.
For instance, blood clams called pang sound like the work for fat, so eating them will make one rich and plump. Fish balls mean reunion and turnip boodes well. The New Year Cake, is a sweet and sticky confection made with glutinous rice and brown sugar. Children refuse to go to bed, watching the night together. The house will be illuminated and pungent with incense.