Traditions to keep in mind for Chinese New Year gifts
- Color selection is very important when you are choosing a CNY gift. Red, yellow, and gold are the color that you must consider. Even when your selected gift doesn’t have these colors, make sure that your gift wrap contains any of these colors.
- If you are opting for money gifts then wrap it in a red envelope. Red, golden, and yellow colors signal wealth, prosperity, good luck, and happiness.
- Black, blue, and white are strictly avoided colors during Chinese New Year because they are associated with deaths and funerals.
- 4 is an unlucky number in Chinese culture. So, whatever you are giving, number 4 should not come at all. For example, the number of chocolates or fruits or any other gift should not be four. In terms of money also, keep that in mind.
- Apart from 4, any other even number is ok. They say that the pronunciation of number four is similar to death and that’s why it is avoided.
- The luckiest Chinese number is 8.
- Another belief in Chinese Culture is that – every good thing comes in pairs. And that’s why you must carry two packets of your gifts. For example, liquor bottles are paired as a gift and two packets or cartons of cigarettes are presented.
- When you have brought gifts for the whole family, always remember to start with the oldest member of the family.
- Never forget to give or receive a gift with both hands.
- The things that you can pick up in a Chinese New Year hamper of gift boxes are – liquor, fruits, tea, cigarettes, and healthcare products.
- The things that you must not pick up in a Chinese New Year gift are – shoes, clock, umbrella, chrysanthemums, any sharp objects, and pears.
- Oranges or tangerines are considered great gift options during this festival as they are the symbols of good luck and wealth.
