Today, it's a way to ensure that one's home is spotless for holiday visitors. It is customary to sweep towards the center of the room and carry dirt out of the house so as not to sweep good fortune out the door. Many homes display an image of the Kitchen God, who is believed to go up to heaven each year to report on the behavior of the family. To ensure that he will say only sweet things, people may smear his lips with honey and pour wine into his mouth so he will forget the bad things. The picture is then burned to send the Kitchen God on his way, and is replaced by a new image in the new year.
Shopping is another important activity to prepare for the celebration.
Exchanging gifts is common practice historically, gifts most often consisted of expensive specialty foods and teas. Flowers are another popular item, with wax plum, white jonquils, and peach blossoms among the favorites. Traditionally, families would honor ancestors on New Year's Eve by paying their respects at the family altar. It was also important to honor living elders by bowing to them. Also, people would stay up as long as possible on that night to ensure that their parents would have a long life.