按照老北京的规矩，春节从农历腊月初八就算开始了，一直持续到元宵节。腊月二十三“过小年”之后，新年的脚步日益临近.人们更是忙得不亦乐乎，又是祭灶扫房子，又是贴春联、年画，还要准备各种吃食，就为了正月这段时间能够不动刀子、剪子，图个平和安康。除夕和大年初一是春节的高潮，守岁吃饺子、拜年，家家欢天喜地，好不热闹。
According to the customs of old Beijing, Spring Festival began from lunar December 8th, and ended on the lantern festival. After "Worshiping Kitchen god day"on lunar December 23th, New Year was coming nearer and nearer. People were really busy awfully. They worshipped Kitchen God, tided house, pasted spring couplets and New Year paintings, and prepared various delicacies for Spring Festival, in order to avoid using knives and clipper during lunar January in order to be peaceful and healthy. New Year Eve and lunar first day were the most critical moment, all families stayed up late over night, enjoyed eating dumplings, paid a New Year call. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful moment. What a wonderful moment it was!
从腊八起，商铺就加紧上年货了，街上也增加了很多卖年货的小摊子，家家户户都开始忙着置办年货。这些赶年的摊子尤其让孩子们开心，大概他们的心跳都比平时要快一些吧。
From lunar December 8th, shops began to supply sufficient necessities for the Spring Festival, there were also more and more stalls along street sides. Every family began to buy New Year goods. Such bustling stalls especially made kids happier and more exciting than normal days.