对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry
春联 Spring Festival couplets 剪纸 paper-cuts
买年货 special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping
年画 New Year paintings 敬酒 propose a toast
灯笼 lantern: a portable light 烟花 fireworks
爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.)
红包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming year.)
舞狮 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.)
舞龙 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests)
戏曲 traditional opera 杂耍 variety show; vaudeville
灯谜 riddles written on lanterns 灯会 exhibit of lanterns
守岁 staying-up 禁忌 taboo
拜年 pay New Year‘s call; give New Year‘s greetings; New Year‘s visit
去晦气 get rid of the ill- fortune
祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one‘s ancestors
压岁钱 gift money; money given to children as a lunar New Year gift【Food names】：
年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake
团圆饭 family reunion dinner 年夜饭 the dinner on New Year‘s Eve
饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli 八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding
汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or spicy fillings
糖果盘 candy tray: 什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune
蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health
西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
金桔 cumquat - prosperity 红枣 red dates - prosperity
糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come
糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship 花生糖 peanut candy - sweet