Chinese New Year Gifts

In China, a gift is a token of appreciation, love, respect, friendship, or hospitality. Gift-giving and receiving is a big part of Chinese culture and a way to build interpersonal relationships. You should know a few things before purchasing a present for a Chinese person. Is he/she traditional? How close are you? Is your relationship casual or formal? As a thoughtful gift-giver, you should remember that more traditional Chinese people value traditional gifts, while contemporary would not be offended if you give them something more causal. There are not any fixed traditional gifts that you should buy except red envelopes for kids and young adults.

The original idea about Chinese New Year in China is about getting together with family. It is like Christmas in Europe or Thanksgiving in the US. Chinese people travel long distances to overeat, over-drink, stay up too late, talk with parents, etc. It’s a worldwide routine, and the main focus is mainly on food. Chinese families prepare their New Year meal for many days. So think about food and drink. Below, there are some Chinese New Year gift ideas that might help you get a little inspiration for picking the ideal gift. The list is followed by some primary gift-giving tips that maybe help you avoid common taboos and understand the culture of gifting in China.

Red envelopes (Hongbao)

Chinese people across the globe eagerly await Chinese New Year for a lot of reasons, including the many red envelopes they will receive. A red envelope is simply a narrow, long, red envelope. Traditionally, red envelopes are often decorated with gold Chinese characters, such as wealth and happiness. Variations include red envelopes with cartoon characters portrayed and red envelopes from stores and companies that contain coupons and gift certificates inside. Red envelopes are an iconic symbol of Chinese New Year, and a way to build and cement the relationship between family and friends at the start of the New Year. Red envelopes are the most common gift given during the Chinese New Year; they are also given for weeding and birthdays and on other special occasions. So if there happen to be children with the people you are visiting, remember to give each of them a red envelope as a Chinese Chinese New Year gift. Red envelopes are also terrific for those in your employment, such as a babysitter who might care for your kids. Think of it as a bonus for the hard work they have done.

Nuts and dried fruits

Chinese New Year is not complete without the requisite hours of lazing around with family and friends, snacking on everything from walnuts and pecans to dates and raisins. They also make outstanding Chinese New Year gifts. In Chinese culture, people give pecans, hickory nuts, walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, chestnuts, sunflower seeds, and pine nuts as gifts. You will even encounter Chinese New Year gift boxes that offer an assortment of nuts, nicely packaged up and ready to give some you love or know. Dried dates are always excellent Chinese Chinese New Year gifts because the name sounds auspicious. In Mandarin dates called as ‘Zao’ which sounds like the character Zao in the (zǎoláifúdào) means good fortune comes early. If you buy dried dates for someone, it represents your hope the recipient will enjoy good fortune soon. You can always find various types of dates and dries fruits online on Amazon and in China on Taobao, including the Tmall Supermarket.

Candies, Chocolates, and cookies

Sweets, including candies, chocolates, and even cookies, have become as ubiquitous as the dried fruits, standard nuts, and fresh fruits see at homes during Chinese New Year. If you are going to give chocolates for Lunar year gifts, better to give imported brands. Imported cookies in gorgeous gift tins are also the right choice for Chinese New Year. You can also bake something yourself, but remember Chinese people appreciate something that lasts for several days because, during Chinese New Year, they will be able to share the nice treats with visitors.

Traditional herbal remedies and vitamins

Traditional herbal remedies and vitamins have also become popular Chinese New Year gifts, particularly for older people. In China, you will encounter lots of possible herbal remedies and foods, many related to traditional Chinese medicine. Vitamins are the ‘modern version’ of traditional health foods and can also make beautiful Chinese Chinese New Year gifts your recipients would use them. Foreign brands make a better impression, so try to buy overseas brands.

Wines and Spirits

Wines and spirits make terrific gifts for Chinese New Year. As you will hear, the word ‘Ganbei’ which equivalent to the word ‘cheers’ around the table during Chinese New Year as people toast each other. If the receiver is a fan of China's most fiery liquor, then the excellent option is top-shelf baijiu, such as Moutai or Wuliangye. It is also best to gift them imported red wines because red is the lucky color for Chinese New Year. Chinese people highly cherished wine from France, so wine is an excellent choice. French champagne is also the right choice for a Chinese New Year gift. But generally, any imported wine will be a welcome addition to the Chinese New Year table. In China, you can buy baijiu either online or at a local supermarket or cigarette and wine store. You can also find excellent options available online on Taobao. You can also buy imported wine in local supermarkets but limited in option.

Fruit and fruit baskets

Chinese people treasure delicate fruit because it is often what’s for dessert, and always a favorite to snack on anytime during Chinese New Year. You can buy apples, or even a fruit basket loaded with everything from sugary mandarins and crisp fresh dates to tangy kiwis. The fruit basket is a global symbol of Chinese New Year around the streets of Shanghai, at least. Fruit basket looks good, so still, go for this one. You can purchase the components yourself and put them together with a red ribbon. Imported fruit will look more impressive, but you can also buy a box of oranges and a bunch of bananas.

Flowers

In China, flowers are generally not a traditional gift for hosts, but abroad they are. However, during Chinese New Year, the flower markets are bursting with special arrangements for the season. Tiny kumquat or orange trees are very traditional, as are flowering plum and other shrubs. Orchids are always lovely, and lucky bamboo is also trendy. Check out any flower shop, and you will be able to find something small or large.

Chinese New Year Gift Giving Etiquette

Chinese New Year is a time for giving, but beware, the most generous can be spoiled if you show lousy etiquette when giving a gift. There are some rules to follow when choosing a gift at any time of the year, but this is especially true in Chinese New Year. The act of giving during the Chinese New Year holidays is as much, if not more, about passing on luck and good wishes for the coming year as it is about the exchange of cash or material goods. Pay close attention to the color of when giving it, also attention to the color of the bag in which it is delivered or wrapping paper. In Chinese culture, the white color is associated with funerals and blue or back as there are both synonymous with death, so avoid these colors. The best choices are red, gold and yellow as they all symbolize prosperity and wealth. If you are intended to purchase money packets for Chinese New Year avoid to buy white envelopes because they are used to give money at funerals.

Another thing to remember is to avoid giving a monetary amount that includes a four as the word four pronunciation in Chinese sounds similar to the word for death. Other even numbers are the right choices, such as a number like 88 is an ideal amount to give. Besides money, this rule can be followed when it comes to giving material goods. Avoid giving a set of four gifts, whereas a set of eight is considered to bring luck.

Once you have settled on a sum of money or an appropriate material gift to give, there are a few rules to follow when giving a gift.

First, when receiving or giving a gift, always use two hands. This custom extended to giving of things like money and business cards. It is an essential part of gift-giving etiquette across the country as it shows appreciation and respect towards the act and the giver.

Second, when giving money ensure, it is new and crisp. Throughout China, people spend weeks preceding Chinese Chinese New Year withdrawing new notes from the bank. It is believed a sign of disrespect to give torn or old notes.

Third, always start presenting a gift to the oldest or most senior member if giving money to a large group or whole family.

Fourth, it is not considered proper to open a gift in front of the giver. The gift receiver will likely express their thanks before putting the gift aside to open in private, do not take this as a sign of the receiver not showing respect or gratitude. If you are receiving a gift you are expected to do the same; to put it aside and open it at a later point.