Red Packet Money | Mama Lisa's World Blog

The Chinese Custom of Giving Red Packet Money as a Gift

Tuesday, July 11th, 2006

Back in January, Ray Lee told us about the tradition of giving red packet money for the Chinese New Year. He sent me this note, this week, about how red packet money can be given all year long…

We talked about red packet money being given out during Chinese New Year. Actually, the Chinese New Year isn’t the only occasion on which red packet money is given out. In general, red packet money is given on occasions that are worth celebrating, e.g. at your kid’s wedding or even birthdays, or when you open your own business.

Please feel free to comment below about gift giving customs in your country.

-Lisa

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Posted in China, Countries & Cultures, Customs, Gift Giving, Hong Kong, Mama Lisa, Red Packet Money | 4 Comments »

Traditions of the Chinese New Year – Visiting Relatives and Giving Red Packet Money

Tuesday, January 17th, 2006

January 29th is the first day of the Chinese New Year in 2006. This year is the Year of the Dog.

My friend Ray Lee grew up in Hong Kong. I asked him how the Chinese New Year is celebrated. Here’s what he said…

- The New Year is a time for friends and relatives to go visit one another. Not that you’re not allowed to visit your friends and relatives during the year, but at the beginning of the New Year (i.e. New Year’s day and the couple of days that follow) it is especially encouraged.

- Red packet money: It’s money stuffed inside a red envelope, usually with a new-year-related drawing and/or writing in gold on the front. Parents give their kids red packet money on New Year’s day. Uncles and aunts give their nephews and nieces red packet money too.

And remember I said that people visit one another during the New Year? Well, the visitors will give each other’s kids red packet money. For example, if your family goes to visit my brother’s family, my brother and sister-in-law will give your kids red packet money. And you and your husband will give my brother’s two kids red packet money. Red packet money, however, is not limited to kids.

In general, as long as you’re not married and relatively young (maybe up to 30, but don’t quote me on that), you get red packet money. There has been a lot of debate between me and my co-worker Kate about whether or not someone who is divorced is eligible for red packet money. I think as long as you’re single, you’re good. When you get divorced you regain your eligibility. She, on the other hand, insists that once you get married, no matter what happens, you give up your red packet money eligibility for good. I don’t know who is right. Unfortunately, there is no “International Red Packet Money Council” to set the rules.

- While we are still on the topic of red packet money … How much money should you give? Well, it depends on whom you’re giving to. It’s common practice to walk around with several red packets in your pocket, some carrying less money, some carrying more. Then, when you run into someone and have to give their kids red packet money, you make a quick assessment of how close these people are to you, and you decide how much, i.e. which red packets from your pocket, to give them.

I will write more as I think of more Chinese New Year related traditions.

Thanks Ray and have a Happy New Year!

Lisa

Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World China page for Kids Songs from China and

The Mama Lisa’s World Taiwan Page for more Chinese Children’s Songs

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Posted in China, Chinese, Chinese New Year, Countries & Cultures, Customs, Gift Giving, Holidays Around the World, Hong Kong, Languages, Red Packet Money, Taiwan | 14 Comments »

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The Chinese Custom of Giving Red Packet Money as a Gift

Traditions of the Chinese New Year – Visiting Relatives and Giving Red Packet Money