Easy Guide To Lunar New Year Gifts & Traditions 2025

The Lunar New Year isn’t just about fireworks and feasts—it’s a time for good fortune, prosperity, and thoughtful gift-giving. Exchanging gifts is a cherished tradition that expresses well-wishes for luck, happiness, and success in the year ahead. But choosing the right Lunar New Year gift isn’t always straightforward. Some items are considered lucky, while others are absolute no-gos (look at you, clocks, and sharp objects).

So, if you’re looking for the perfect present to impress your friends, family, or colleagues during the Lunar New Year celebrations, this guide has you covered. Whether you want something traditional, luxurious, or practical, we’ve created this guide to help bring good luck and prosperity to you and your loved ones.

Traditional Lunar New Year Gifts

🧧 Red Envelopes (Hóngbāo)

A classic and auspicious gift, red envelopes filled with crisp banknotes are given to children, unmarried adults, and elderly Chinese family members. Just remember:

• Always give even amounts (e.g., $8, $10, $88—eight is considered lucky).
• Avoid amounts with 4 (it sounds like “death” in Chinese culture—bad luck).
• The money should be new and unfolded for good luck.

🍽️ Food Items

Food plays a big part in the Lunar New Year; gifting special treats is a gesture of abundance and good fortune. Some popular options include:

• Dumplings – Representing wealth and prosperity.
• Fish – A symbol of good fortune (often given whole for a complete blessing).
• Chicken – Represents family togetherness.
• Noodles – Long noodles = longevity and a long life.
• Sweet Rice Cakes (Niangao) – Symbolising rising success in the new year.
• Pineapple Cakes – A Taiwanese favourite linked to wealth and prosperity.
• Mochi Cakes – Representing unity and harmony.

🍵 Tea

Tea is a thoughtful, high-quality gift symbolises respect, peace, and longevity. A premium tea set or an assortment of artisanal teas (like oolong, jasmine, or pu-erh) makes the perfect present, especially for elders or tea lovers.

Luxury and Practical Gifts

🍲 Bird’s Nest & Chicken Essence

These high-end health supplements are often gifted to parents, grandparents, or anyone recovering from illness. They’re believed to promote good health, vitality, and longevity – a meaningful gesture of care.

🌿 Ginseng & Herbal Tonics

Ginseng is another auspicious gift for good health and prosperity, and it is highly valued in traditional Chinese culture. A well-packaged collection of herbal tonics can be a practical and elegant gift.

🏡 Homewares

Stylish and festive home items are considered lucky during Lunar New Year. Some great options include:

• Teapots & tea sets – A refined gift that pairs well with premium tea.
• Decorative plates – Red and gold designs symbolising prosperity.
• Festive ornaments – Good luck charms featuring the Year of the Snake (2025).

🧣 Clothing & Accessories

Fashion gifts can be a hit—just be mindful of cultural taboos:

✅ Good choices:

• Red or gold clothing (brings good fortune).
• Scarves, wallets, or handbags.

❌ Avoid giving:

• Shoes – The word for “shoe” sounds like “bad luck”.
• Green hats – In Chinese culture, these symbolise infidelity (definitely not festive).

🎁 Hampers

A gourmet hamper makes the perfect Lunar New Year gift, filled with seasonal treats like:

• Chocolates & premium sweets (indulgent and festive).
• Wine & spirits (a great choice for toasting to a prosperous year).
• Dried seafood – Luxurious options like abalone and sea cucumber.
• Exotic snacks – Think Mandarin-infused chocolates or citrusy rice paper treats.

Symbolic New Year Gifts

🎍 Lucky Plants

Bringing a lucky plant to a Lunar New Year feast or gathering is a nice gift symbolising growth, prosperity, and good fortune. Some of the most auspicious options include:

• Lucky Bamboo – Representing strength and resilience.
• Money Trees – A favourite Chinese New Year gift, believed to attract wealth.
• Orchids – Symbolising fertility, elegance, and abundance.

Pair the plant with a stylish pot or decorative wrapping for an extra thoughtfulness touch.

🌺 Flowers

Fresh flowers are a big part of traditional Lunar New Year celebrations, bringing good luck and prosperity into the home. Some lucky options include:

• Cherry Blossoms – Represent renewal and good fortune.
• Peonies – Known as the “flower of riches and honour.”
• Narcissus – Considered lucky for career success.

Pairing these with a luxury vase adds an element of elegance and practicality, making it a refined gift choice.

Lunar New Year Decorations

🏮 Red Lanterns

Red lanterns are a classic part of Chinese New Year gifts. They are hung at doorways, windows, and streets to bring prosperity and happiness. They’re often gifted to families to illuminate their homes with good fortune.

✂️ Paper Cuttings & Door Couplets

These intricate decorations, often inspired by the Chinese zodiac and auspicious symbols, are displayed on doors and windows. They feature lucky phrases wishing for health, wealth, and happiness in the new lunar year.

🀄 Upside-Down Fu Characters (福)

The Fu (福) character, meaning fortune, is often placed upside down on doors. The word for “upside-down” sounds like “arriving”,” symbolising that good fortune is on its way.

🌸 Blooming Flowers & Plants

Homes are decorated with seasonal flowers like cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, and kumquat trees as part of the festivity. These represent renewal, prosperity, and a flourishing year ahead.

🐍 Year-Specific Zodiac Decorations

Since 2025 is the Year of the Snake, expect to see snake-themed gifts, ornaments, and red packets. Gifting a stylish snake decoration could be a meaningful way to celebrate the Lunar New Year celebrations.

What to Avoid

❌ Sharp Objects

Knives, scissors, or anything sharp? These symbolise cutting ties and could mean severing relationships in the new year.

⏳ Clocks & Watches

A seemingly practical gift, but actually one of the biggest taboos. In Chinese culture, giving a clock means “sending off” someone, implying time is running out. Not exactly the sentiment you want for a festive celebration!

⚫ Black or White Items

These colours are associated with mourning and funerals, so they’re not considered lucky for Lunar New Year gift ideas. Stick to vibrant reds, golds, and oranges instead.

☔ Umbrellas

Umbrellas might seem like a nice gift, but they symbolise separation. Giving one could imply you want to part ways—definitely not ideal for a time focused on unity and good fortune.

4️⃣ The Number 4

If you’re giving red envelopes, money, or any set of items, avoid the number 4 at all costs. In Chinese culture, the pronunciation of “four” sounds like the word for death, making it highly unlucky.

Red Packets (Hóngbāo) – The Gift of Prosperity

🧧 What It Means

Red packets, or hóngbāo, are a traditional Lunar New Year gift symbolising blessings of wealth, good fortune, and happiness. The vibrant red colour is believed to bring luck and ward off evil spirits, so you’ll see these little red envelopes everywhere during the celebrations.

🎁 Who Can Receive It?

Red packets are typically given to:

• Children & Unmarried Adults – Usually from parents, grandparents, and married relatives.
• Elders – A sign of respect and gratitude from younger generations.
• Employees & Service Workers – Employers may give them as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.

👐 Who Should Give It?

• Married individuals – Expected to give red envelopes to children and unmarried relatives.
• Business owners & employers – Often distribute hóngbāo to employees as a token of appreciation.
• Adults – May give them to their parents or elders as a sign of respect.

📌 Mini Guide on Red Packets

Want to make sure you’re following tradition correctly? Here are a few essential rules:

1. Use crisp new bills – Wrinkled or old money is considered unlucky.
2. Amounts should be even numbers – Avoid 4 (it sounds like “death” in Chinese).
3. Common amounts include $8, $10, $88, or $168 (all linked to prosperity and good fortune).
4. Do not open the envelope before the giver – It’s impolite.
5. E-Red Packets – Digital hóngbāo are becoming more common, especially among younger generations and overseas Chinese communities.

New Year Superstitions and Customs

🧹 Cleaning the House Before New Year

Before Lunar New Year celebrations begin, families do a deep clean to sweep out bad luck and make way for good fortune. But once New Year’s Day arrives, all cleaning stops—because sweeping on the day itself is believed to sweep away good fortune.

👗 Buying New Clothes (Especially Red)

A fresh start calls for new clothes, especially in red, which is considered lucky and wards off bad luck. Wearing black or white (colours linked to mourning) is best avoided during this time.

🚫 Avoiding Taboos

To keep good fortune intact, certain things are off-limits during the festivity:

• No sweeping or taking out garbage – It’s like throwing away prosperity.
• Avoid sharp objects – Knives and scissors can “cut” your luck for the year.
• No crying or saying negative words – Words carry power, and saying anything unlucky might invite bad fortune.
• Not washing clothes or hair on certain days is believed to wash away wealth.

Family Gatherings: The Reunion Dinner

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Unity

The Reunion Dinner is the most important meal of the year. It brings families together for a symbolic fresh start filled with abundance and good fortune. Whether celebrating with immediate family or an acquaintance away from home, this meal is all about togetherness.

🥢 Auspicious Dishes

Each dish served at the New Year feast carries a symbolic meaning:

• 🐟 Fish – Symbolises abundance (it’s usually steamed or roasted).
• 🥟 Dumplings – Resemble gold ingots, representing wealth.
• 🍚 Sticky Rice Cakes (Nian Gao) – A wish for progress and rising success.
• 🌯 Spring Rolls – Their golden appearance symbolises gold and prosperity.

📺 Post-Dinner Traditions

Once the feast is over, families continue celebrating with traditions like:

• Watching cultural performances – CCTV’s New Year Gala is a staple in many households.
• Exchanging red envelopes (hóngbāo) – A final gesture of luck and prosperity before the new year fully begins.
• Honouring ancestors – Some families offer mandarin oranges, food, or incense as a sign of respect.

What to Say to Family and Friends

🎊 Common Greetings

When celebrating Lunar New Year, a few well-chosen phrases can make your greetings extra meaningful:

• 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) – Happy New Year!
• 恭喜发财 (Gōng xǐ fā cái) – Wishing you prosperity and wealth!
• 大吉大利 (Dà jí dà lì) – Wishing you great luck and success!

💖 Sayings About Health & Prosperity

• 身体健康 (Shēntǐ jiànkāng) – Wishing you good health!
• 年年有余 (Niánnián yǒuyú) – Wishing you abundance every year!
• 福如东海 (Fú rú dōng hǎi) – May your happiness be as vast as the Eastern Sea!

🐍 Special Greetings for the Year of the Snake (2025)

Since 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, here are a few snake-themed greetings to impress your Chinese culture-savvy friends:

• 有蛇(捨)有得 (Yǒu shé/shě yǒu dé) – “If you give something up, you will gain something else in return.” Encourages embracing change.
• 龙蛇飞舞 (Lóng Shé Fēi Wǔ) – “Dragon and Snake United in Celebration,” wishing for harmony and prosperity.
• 蛇年大吉 (Shé Nián Dà Jí) – “Good Luck for this Snake Year.”
• 蝉蜕蛇解 (Chán Tuì Shé Jiě) – “The snake sheds its skin,” symbolising transformation and renewal.

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