Your Essential Hong Bao Guide for Chinese New Year 🐉

During this time of the year, the mounting pressure to give the "right" amounts for red envelopes (hongbaos) becomes almost overwhelming. Traditionally representing filial piety, prosperity, and blessings within family circles, it's now common to extend this tradition to the children of friends and colleagues. These additional social obligations, combined with the rising cost of living, make the festive period more stressful than it should be.

The Meaning of the Hong Baos

Chinese New Year red packets are a traditional gift for children or elderly people during the Chinese New Year. In China, the red packet money is called ya sui qian (压岁钱 yā suì qián), which means 'suppressing Sui [the demon] money'. Those who receive a red envelope are blessed with another safe and peaceful year.

Generally, on Chinese New Year’s Eve or New Year's Day, young children and grandchildren give their best wishes to their parents and grandparents. In return, grandparents and parents give their children and grandchildren red packets with money, wishing them good luck in the new year. Parents and grandparents also receive red packets from their grown-up children and grandchildren as a way of sending them good luck, happiness, and health. This embodies the value of filial piety too.

Should I Give a Hong Bao?

When is the appropriate time to start giving out red packets? Traditionally speaking, if you have started earning money, it is time to begin your experience of giving Chinese New Year hong baos. Giving a red packet is a way to share your blessings. However, there is a custom that you need not give red packets to others if you are not married.

Red packets were usually given and received only among families. In most places, the custom is to give a hong bao to each child you meet during the New Year period. However, in modern times, you can give a hong bao to anyone you have a relationship with, unless, parents aside, they are senior to you in some way or other! Your office pantry aunty, the security guard, the delivery guy and whomever you want to wish well. After all, the true essence of hong bao giving has not changed since the old days – our relationships with one another and wish the best upon those around us.

Your close relatives (like your parents and grandparents) will keep giving you red packets even when you are married, symbolising their love and blessing.

Hong Bao Etiquette

As a general rule of thumb, one should avoid gifting cash in odd numbers as it is deemed inauspicious. Even numbers are believed to be more “wholesome” and bring stability to the receiver. 

That being said, the digit “4” should be avoided (even though it is clearly an even number). When spoken in Chinese, “4” sounds like the word “death” and hence is a faux pas in Chinese culture. This means that you should avoid denominations such as $4, $14, $40, or $44 in hong baos.

Hong bao rates usually encompass the digit “8” because it sounds like the word “fortune”, deeming an auspicious number. This symbolises well wishes for the recipient and will earn you those approving smiles and nods from older folks!

It’s also considered rude to open your Chinese New Year red packets in public, especially in front of the hong bao giver, so remember to remind your young ones about this!

General Tips for Giving and Receiving Hong Baos 

Recommended Ang Pao Rates 

Usually, hong baos with the highest cash amounts are reserved for those closest to you (parents, spouses and other Significant Others, in-laws, and children), followed by extended family members (cousins, nephews, and nieces). 

Next would be friends’ children who come to visit during the festivities, followed by co-workers, domestic helpers and any other person you fancy giving a red packet to, such as waiters, baristas and delivery riders who work hard over the festive period.

Hong baos are usually not exchanged between adult friends; instead, people will bring Chinese New Year gift sets and alcoholic beverages to house visits. 

Do take heed that the following rates are simply suggested amounts; you can still give what you are financially comfortable with instead of conforming to the recommended hong bao rates.

4 Alternatives to Giving Away Traditional Cash Hong Baos 

Of course, if the budget is tight due to a challenging fiscal year, here are some suggested alternatives to giving traditional cash hong baos. 

Conclusion 

Hopefully, with this hong bao guide, we will be able to provide you with the support and help to have an easier time preparing your Chinese New Year red packets this year! As much as this is a convenient guide to follow, it is not set in stone. More than anything else, hong baos are symbolic gestures, and you should always give within your financial means. After all, it is the thought that counts! 

With that, we hope you have a warm and wonderful Chinese New Year gathering with your loved ones in the coming year. Huat ah!