First, they don't take a day off. They may take anywhere from a week to a month off! Family owned businesses, even in booming downtown areas, may remain vacant for extended periods of time around Chinese New Year.
If you're feeling jealous while picturing mobs of Chinese people partying like it's Western New Year's Eve for weeks on end, however, your envy is misplaced.
Chinese New Year is a time for family, and that means traveling to meet family who may be in very remote towns, villages, and rural areas. When costs are a concern, it is quite common to take trains for as long as a full day to travel back to one's hometown.
The days leading up to Chinese New Year are packed with traditional activities and observances, ranging from cleaning to preparing special foods to staying indoors, among others.
Chinese New Year's Eve is much closer to American Thanksgiving than it is to Western New Year's Eve. Families gather round and enjoy a long and hearty meal. Afterward, however, unlike either of these Western holidays, Chinese people will often make jiaozi, Chinese dumplings, which they will eat around midnight.
"Hong bao", or red envelopes, are special little red packages containing money. Giving out hong bao to friends and relatives during Chinese New Year is a great way to show your affection. As an added bonus, you don't ever need to worry about getting the "right" gift – just make sure you don't stuff your envelopes with an unlucky amount! To learn about that, though, you're going to have to tune in another time.