What could we do during Chinese Spring Festival? (II)

I have always heard my friend said that Spring Festival is for Chinese as Christmas for us. But staying in Beijing for only several months, I did not know what I could do in these important days in China. My Chinese friends has just found these activities that I might find interesting and could take a part in.
·New Year Cleaning
In the days leading up to the Spring Festival, every household gets a thorough clean since sweeping on New Year’s Day itself might sweep away the year’s good fortune. Breaking dishes or using sharp objects is also seen as potentially unlucky.
·Family Reunion Dinner
On Chinese New Year Eve, a grand family reunion dinner is held in every home. All family members are expected to return home for the reunion. Foods in the typical menu are chosen for their auspicious meanings, such as fish for richness and glutinous rick cakes (Nian Gao) for better life. Usually the fish is intentionally not finished, and the remaining is stored overnight. It comes from a Chinese pun "Nian Nian You Yu", where the pronounciation of fish (Yu) is the same as leftover/surplus, thus giving a message of "having profit every year".
·The Character Fu
The Character Fu, literally meaning luck, auspiciousness, happiness or blessing, is a must in Spring Festival decorations. An interesting fact is that the Character Fu is usually displayed upside-down. That's because in Chinese, the words for "upside-down" and "to arrive" sound similar. Therefore, pasting the Character Fu upside-down on a door indicates "Good luck arrives".
·New Year Couplets
New Year Couplets are an essential part of Spring Festival decorations. New Year Couplets are written in black ink on two vertical strips of red paper which is then pasted each on one side of a door. The first (or upper) line is on the right side while the second (lower) line is on the left. A third horizontal piece is pasted on the door frame.Typically the New Year Couplets present a happy and hopeful message and sincere wish for a better New Year.
·Red Envelope
Red Envelope or Red Packetis a monetary gift (lucky money packed in a red envelope) presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or on holidays such as the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. It is also named as Ya Sui Qian, meaning money to guard against evil and bless with happiness.

Hope every Chinese and foreign friends like me could enjoy a happy Spring Festival in China!
You could learn more on the website.

If you would like to take a tour in China during Spring Festival, you could click:
6 days 2013 Beijing Spring Festival Tour
9 days Harbin Ice Carnival and China Spring Festival Tour
9 days Ski and Spa Tour
If you have any question you could find more on www.chinaholidays.com and www.beijing-explorer.com.