On New Year's Eve, it is a tradition for Chinese families to gather for a large feast, commonly referred to as the "Chinese New Year's dinner". It is a time for family members to come together and celebrate the past year's achievements and to look forward to the upcoming year with hope and optimism.
During the dinner, a wide variety of traditional Chinese dishes are served, including dumplings, fish, rice cakes, and noodles. The dishes are often symbolic and represent different aspects of Chinese culture and beliefs.
As the dinner progresses, family members often engage in lively conversations and share stories from the past year. Children may also receive red envelopes filled with money, a traditional gift given during the Chinese New Year.
In recent years, many Chinese families have also incorporated Western traditions into their New Year's celebrations, including singing English carols and watching Western-style fireworks displays.
The English language has become increasingly important in China, and many families see the New Year's Eve dinner as an opportunity to practice their English skills and connect with Western cultures. As such, English language programs may also be a part of the evening's activities, with family members taking turns speaking in English and helping each other to improve their language abilities.