It's going to strike 12 o'clock . Let's get the firecrackers ready , Rose .   Aren't firecrackers forbidden in the city ?   Well yes , but they are not allowed only in downtown areas . It's OK here . It would be difficult to ban customs that have thousands of years of tradition . The habit does bring kids joy and excitement so long as precautions are taken . Let's go out and set off firecrackers out there .   Fantastic ! The whole city is echoing with crackling sounds !   What other activities will you have tomorrow ?   Quite a lot . The celebration of the New Year has just started . The first day we southerners have sweet rice cakes for breakfast , and people in the North have Jiaozi . Afterward , we will make New Year calls on family relatives , husband's side on the first day and wife's side on the second .   Do you bring some gifts along ?   That's for sure . Fruit , cream cakes , medical tonics are often for parents and aged relatives , and cash enclosed in a red envelope for the kids . All this , of course , should be well prepared beforehand .   Is it the same practice for all families ? 