Chinese people believe that what you do at the beginning of a new year will affect your luck in the coming year. Staying up until late on Chinese New Year’s eve (January 21) and saying good words to family and friends, after the clock strikes 12 will “certainly bring good luck”. Giving out red packets to children and the elderly is also said to “help cast away back luck and bring good luck in”. Decorating your house with kumquat trees - they symbolise wealth and good luck - as well as wearing your lucky colour, and eating lucky foods like rice dumplings, fried flour-coated peanuts and walnut cookies, are also popular ways to get lucky.
