"Tuan-nian" (Reunion Dinner) is the rare occasion when all family members come all the way back home for dinner around the table on the Chinese New Year's Eve. The regional rituals of this reunion dinner tend to be slightly different in different parts of China and here are the highlights of some interesting practices.

In Suzhou, eggplant is an indispensable dish on New Year's Eve because it is called "Luo-su", which rhymes with "Le", the word for happiness in Chinese. An eggplant dish thus wishes happiness and peace in the New Year.

In Northern Jiangsu, Northern Anhuo and Southern Henan provinces, people would cook a lot of rice for the reunion dinner. The more rice there is, the better the luck would be. It is only natural that the family cannot finish the rice. The leftover will be placed in a big wooden basin and eaten on the second day of Chinese New Year. This custom wishes for ample food and clothing (among other supplies) in the New Year.

In Zhejiang areas, not only do people have reunion dinner, the poultry and domestic animals would also have a big meal. It is particularly true for dogs that are given lots of alcohol and food, so that they get drowsy and stay silent all night. People believe the immortals bringing blessings on New Year's Eve would be scared away by barking dogs. No wonder they are bribed with good food and wine !