The last day of Chinese New Year is also a traditional Chinese festival, Yuanxiao festival. On this day, Chinese eat Yuanxiao and watch light exhibition. Many families eat also a big family dinner this day to bid farewell to Chinese New Year festival. The dinner is called as "Song Nian", which means "send Chinese New Year". In some regions, people eat "Song Nian" dinners several days earlier.
In fact, people don't always follow traditional celebration schedule. One example is that in Qing-dynasty (1644-1912), the official light exhibitions were held from the 13th to 17th, two days after Chinese New Year, of Zheng month. Another example is that many people eat their "Song Nian" dinners earlier than the traditional times, and leave their parents before the last day of Chinese New Year, because they have to return their jobs early.
Until the last day of Chinese New Year, people still actively take part in Chinese New Year activities even if they have come back to job. Many Chinese spend the former part of Chinese New Year festival to their families and relatives, and leave the later part to their friends. For most Chinese whole the Chinese New Year festival is a fulfilling time. They come back to ordinary living state from the first day after Chinese New Year.
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