Day 9, New Year's Eve (Feb. 9, 2024)

The New Year's Eve is on the 30th day of the 12th lunar month, the day before Spring Festival. This year, it falls on Feb. 9. After days of preparation and high expectations, the highlight of Spring Festival celebrations finally arrives on this day. As a symbol of family reunion, the annual New Year's Eve feast is extremely important. Returning home for the meal is a tradition deeply rooted in every Chinese person no matter where they are. 

Day 8, Couplets-pasting Day (Feb. 8, 2024)

The Couplets-pasting Day is on the 29th day of the 12th lunar month, two days before Spring Festival. This year, it falls on Feb. 8. On this day, families usually paste Spring Festival couplets, paintings of deities, New Year pictures and paper-cut window decorations in their homes to express their wishes for the new year.

Day 7, Bread-steaming Day (Feb. 7, 2024)

The Bread-steaming Day is on the 28th day of the 12th lunar month, three days before Spring Festival. This year, it falls on Feb. 7. Steamed bread was a must-have on this day in the past, serving as both a staple food and an offering for deities and ancestors. 

In northern China, families usually make a large batch of steamed buns, freeze most of them, and eat the rest during Spring Festival when meeting with friends and family. The small dough balls on the steamer grow bigger and rounder, symbolizing wealth and auspiciousness. At the same time, the steam curling up in the pot also represents the auspicious meaning of "flourishing day by day."