To usher in the Lunar New Year, spring cleaning is needed to remove the dirt and negative energy that has accumulated in the home in the previous 12 months. Traditionally, furniture is rearranged and cleaned, as are windows, walls and ceilings. Kitchen utensils and bed linen are also washed. It is vital that spring cleaning is completed by Lunar New Year's Eve, otherwise you enter the new year with tasks outstanding.
On New Year's Eve, families gather, either at home or at their favourite restaurant, for the final meal of the old year. Traditionally, children are allowed to stay up until midnight to greet the new year. Another common practice is to place red scrolls with rhyming couplets on the front door or in the living room. These scrolls contain four characters and are basically blessings for the new year and pleas for things such as good health, the accomplishment of 10,000 tasks and the achievement of goals.
The character for fortune (fuk) is also prominently displayed upside-down because 'upside-down' is pronounced the same way as 'arrive' in spoken Chinese. Thus, 'fortune' written upside-down symbolises fortune arriving.It is also vital to settle any debts and loans so you can start the new year with a clean slate.