December 23 of Chinese Lunar Calendar (Little New Year) 腊月二十三——小年

Custom: Worshiping the Kitchen God

As the legend goes, there is a kitchen god in each house who is responsible for the kitchen and oversees the conduct of the family. On this day, the kitchen god returns to Heaven to report the conducts of the family to the Emperor of Heaven. Therefore, worshipping the kitchen god aims to "please him." People put out some sweet and sticky foods, such as rice dumplings and malted sugar. In this way, the lips of the kitchen god will stuck together, and he cannot report any wrong doings of the family. Thus the family can lead an auspicious life.

December 24 of Chinese Lunar Calendar 腊月二十四

Custom: Dusting

After worshipping the kitchen god, people begin to thoroughly clean their houses to sweep away bad luck and welcome good luck. Dusting shows the good wish of putting away old things and welcoming a new life, making everything look fresh in the new year.

December 25 of Chinese Lunar Calendar 腊月二十五

Custom: Pasting Window Paper and Making Tofu

The times for pasting window paper are gone. Nowadays, the tradition is replaced by cleaning windows. Tofu is homophonic with "Toufu (first fortune of the year)", so it is considered as a good food which brings happiness.

December 26 of Chinese Lunar Calendar 腊月二十六

Custom: Preparation of Meat and Shopping for the Spring Festival

When there was insufficient food in the past, the majority of ordinary people could enjoy a comparatively lavish feast only during the Spring Festival. Besides meat and fish, people also start to purchase cigarettes, wines, fruits, gifts and festive ornaments on the day.