Did you know that in Taiwan they set a place at the New Year table for those unable to be there in order to symbolize their presence in spirit if not in body? Find out more about Chinese New Year traditions: Wikipedia article on Year of the Rat, Asian Canadian adventures in inter-cultural Vancouver
Taiwan
"New Year's Eve is spent by bidding farewell to the old year and thanking the ancestors and the gods for their blessing and protection. Children who have left their hometowns return on this day to share New Year's Eve Dinner with their families, and for those unable to make the journey, a table setting is placed to symbolize their presence in spirit if not in body."
Reggie Wu, SDI , Taipei