Fifteen days beginning at the first new moon: why red is everywhere, what is inside the envelopes, and why scissors, crying and cleaning are all avoided once the celebration starts.
The festival lasts fifteen days from the first new moon, and almost every part of it is doing a job. Firecrackers and lion dances frighten bad spirits away. Red covers clothes, banners and envelopes because it protects. Long noodles mean long life, and the numbers at dinner are chosen with the same care.
The prohibitions are what students remember: no scissors or knives, no crying on New Year's Day, and no cleaning during the festival - the house is cleaned before, so that good luck is not swept out with the dust. Children can eat sweets without being told off. Good listening practice, and an easy way into comparing it with whatever the class celebrates at home.