Lunar New Year is a time for family gatherings and gift-giving, which is an important part of this annual event. The most popular colors for this season are red and gold, so you will find many packages in those colors. However, there are some rules about what is or isn't considered appropriate as a gift during this time.
When receiving a gift, it is customary not to open it immediately. Instead, offer a kind thank you and set the gift aside to open later.
Popular gifts for Lunar New Year
Tea: Taiwanese people love tea, so a nicely wrapped box of tea makes a thoughtful gift.
Fruits: Fruit baskets, boxes of oranges, or boxes of apples are common and auspicious gifts. Apples symbolize safety, while oranges symbolize fortune.
Home Supplies: Items like a tea set, electrical equipment, or cooking appliances can be nice gifts, especially for someone who has recently moved into a new house.
Alcohol: If the person you are gifting drinks alcohol, a nice bottle of alcohol could be a suitable choice.
Red Envelopes: Red envelopes are the most popular gifts, especially when given to children. The amount of money given usually starts with lucky numbers like 6 or 8. Ensure that the money is new, as offering worn or old banknotes is considered disrespectful.
Candy and Chocolates: Candies or chocolates are also popular gifts for Chinese New Year, and many shops sell gift boxes during this time.
Books/Toys: Educational books, coloring books, toys, or items that match a child's interests and age can make nice presents.
What you should avoid gifting during Lunar New Year
Necklaces, Ties, and Belts: These items are associated with intimate relationships and are often given by couples, so it is not suitable for platonic friends.
Wallets: Gifting a wallet symbolizes giving away all your money and potentially losing your finances and luck. However, it is acceptable to gift a wallet to a spouse who shares financial accounts.
Handkerchiefs: Handkerchiefs are generally given at funerals and symbolize saying goodbye forever.
Dolls: Some people consider cloth dolls to attract evil spirits.
Umbrellas: The Chinese word for umbrella sounds like the word for breaking up, so gifting an umbrella may imply that the relationship has ended.
Hats: Hats associated with mourning are considered unlucky gifts.
Black or White Objects: These colors are traditionally used in funerals, so it is best to avoid presenting gifts that are predominantly black or white.
Sharp Objects: Giving sharp objects, such as knives or scissors, is believed to sever the relationship and is considered bad luck.
Pears: The word for pears sounds similar to the word for leaving or parting, so it is considered bad luck to gift pears during Chinese New Year.
Scented Candles: Candles are associated with veneration for the dead and should not be given as gifts.
Cut Flowers: Cut flowers are typically associated with funerals and are not appropriate gifts for Chinese New Year.
Mirrors: Mirrors are believed to attract malicious ghosts, and they are easily broken, which is seen as a bad omen.
Shoes: The word for shoes sounds like a word for bad luck or evil.
Anything with the number '4': The number four sounds similar to the word for death, so anything displaying the number 4 is considered unlucky.
Clocks or Watches: Gifting clocks or watches sounds similar to attending a funeral ritual and is considered bad luck. Clocks and watches also symbolize the running out of time, which can be uncomfortable for seniors.
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