It's a variation on the chinese Money Tree tradition. It's not the plant referred to as a money tree but a cypress or other tree in a pot full of rice. Paper decorations depicting money are attached to it as far as I know, but I think this one may have had actual money in it. I always thought you were supposed to tie things to the tree for goo fortune, but this year people were trying to throw the bags and have them hang on the tree successfully to bring good fortune. Sounds similar to the wish tags on trees in Japan. Despite have more ties with China, I know alot more about Japanese customs because I like them. I'm so useless XP