The food is eaten at an auspicious time facing the indicated direction. The head of the household feeds each member of the house a mouthful of milk rice. This is a symbolic ritual. The table is laid with a vast variety of delicacies, many of which are only cooked for this occasion during the entire year. An oil lamp is lit before the meal is eaten.
Juniors receive their blessings from elders after giving a dozen leaves of betel.
Children are given cash gifts wrapped in one of these betel leaves. A tree with milk sap is symbolically cut. There is a saying that the job got done like having stuck a milk sap tree. The act is to bring good luck in all endeavours engaged in during the new year. Other work such as planting, reading and a basic transaction are done for good luck.