Like at Christmas in other countries, people exchange gifts during the Spring Festival. In rural areas and for older people the New Year gift-giving tradition is still strong, and younger people like to receive red envelopes from their elders. Red envelopes have money in them and are believed to bring good luck because they are red. They are given to children and retirees. Customarily only employers give red envelopes to working adults.

Red packets are called hongbao in Mandarin. The term “red packets” has also come into common use, though hongbao look and function more like envelopes than packets. In China, the red envelope is called "yasui qian", which means 'suppressing ghosts money'. Those who receive a red envelope are wished another safe and peaceful year.

During Chinese New Year, another tradition is setting off fireworks and firecrackers. Billions of Fireworks go off at midnight, ranging from places like the bug city to even the most rural areas in China.

Celebrated on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month, the Lantern Festival traditionally marks the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period. This year, it's Friday, February 12 in 2021. People will go out to look at the moon, send up flying lanterns, fly bright drones, have a meal, and enjoy time together with family and friends in parks and natural areas.