In the old days, various kinds of food are presented to ancestors on their altars. The Eve of the New Year is very carefully observed. Super is a feast, with all the family members coming together. One of the most popular course is jiaozi, dumplings boiled in water. After dinner, the whole family to spend the night while having fun with cards or board games or watching TV programs dedicated to the occasion.
Every light is supposed to be kept on the whole night.
At midnight, the whole sky is lit up by fireworks and firecrackers, making everything seem like a war zone. People's excitement reach its zenith. Very early the next morning, children greet their parents and are given cash presents tucked inside red envelopes. Afterwards, the family travel door to door, first greeting their relatives then their neighbors. During and several days following New Year day, people visit each other to exchange gifts.