Prepare lucky money

Married couples usually put money in red envelopes and give them to unmarried adults and children. However, older and more traditional Chinese with large families practice the tradition of giving out lucky money to younger members of the family whether they are married or not. In businesses, some bosses also give lucky money to their employees after the holidays. Remember to use new red envelopes and new bills; they are more welcome than old ones. 

Have a new year's eve banquet

Chinese New Year is always a family affair. The whole clan gathers for dinner on new year's eve. If you belong to a big family, the dinner is a banquet with nine dishes signifying longevity and long life.

Cantonese or Hong Kong people also like to mix a variety of meat, seafood and mushrooms in a large "basin." They call it poon choi. The dish now can be conveniently brought from hotels, restaurants and their online shops.

(By Jessie Huang, Louis Berney)