I moved from China to US 12 years ago. On New Year's eve we usually have a big dinner. But with two little ones I only made 3 dishes, fish (Yu), rice cake (Nian Gao) and sauted some mushroom. Forgot the name of the mushroom, but it is creme-colored, about 7 inches long. The head is very small, the size of a finger nail. The stalk is about 7 inches. It is very important that you have some leftovers after dinner, which means you will always have more than you need, money, food and etc. Fish represents prosperity. Rice cake is eaten by children so that they will grow taller in the coming year. There are tons of dishes with special meanings. But I don't remember much now.
That's about all I did, could not be simpler. Oh, made some decorative paper cuttings (Kirigami?) and hung on the window. When the kids get older I will try to make it more fun. Right now it is just getting them fed, washed and tucked in bed like every night.
I should put those paper cuttings on my website when I get a chance. Anybody who likes crafts will like them.

Ying

straw mushrooms...

I don't think they were straw mushrooms. Straw mushrooms aren't 7 inches long. They're short & stumpy - an inch or two long at best.

I would guess that the mushrooms you sauteed were Enoki.

Breezyb,

I think you are right. I remember the name starts with E. Enoki tastes even better than straw mushrooms. I have not seen any fresh straw mushrooms offered in local grocery stores, even in those who carry Shitaki, Oyster and Enoki mushrooms.

Ying