Best Lunar New Year Gifts
Updated by Sydney Bollinger
The 2023 Lunar New Year is quickly approaching! With January 22 right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about Lunar New Year gifts.
The Lunar New Year is an annual celebration that brings together family and friends for delicious meals and fun festivities. Despite sometimes being referred to as Chinese New Year, the holiday is celebrated by people across the world including in Korea, Vietnam, Japan and, yes, China.
The celebratory day takes place on the first full moon of the lunar (read: based on the moon cycle) calendar, and while the lunar calendar isn’t the standard calendar these days—we use the Gregorian calendar, based on solar (read: the sun) cycles—the moon calendar is still used in many spiritual practices .
What are the best gifts to give for the Lunar New Year?
Like many holidays, the Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate while eating good food and exchanging gifts. Presents given and received on this holiday tend to be on the smaller side, but they all hold deep meaning for gifters and giftees.
Red Envelopes
You might be familiar with the sight of red envelopes given to friends and family. These envelopes typically contain money, which is just as important as the color. In China and other East Asian countries, red represents prosperity for the coming year!
If you’re planning to give red envelopes, you may want to try making your own cards for a personal touch. A handmade card and a thoughtful note go a long way toward celebrating what’s to come in the new year and will also give your loved one something to hang on to as a keepsake. Just make sure that your envelope is red so you can grant them great luck in the new year.
Food & Drinks
Who doesn’t love something delicious to munch on? Snacks are common gifts for the Lunar New Year, with children and adults alike delighted by the gift.
Fruit
Dried or fresh fruit and nuts are always popular choices at the Lunar New Year. If you’re stuck on what fruit might be best, pick up some oranges as they are symbolic of good luck (just like the red envelopes). You might also consider purchasing a basket and arranging them nicely with a couple other fruits, like apples and pears. Bonus points if you can find local produce!
Snacks
Want to get some really great snacks? For a variety of yummy things to eat, try a subscription box like the Exotic Asian Snacker Box , which comes with something that will please everyone’s taste buds. This would also be a great gift to send someone who you don’t often get to see as a way to let them know you are thinking of them this Lunar New Year.
Tea
You can never go wrong with tea ! This drink is very popular in Asian cultures and is often served during the Lunar New Year. Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese favorite, but you can always go off-book and tailor your gift to the recipient’s tastes.
The Personalized Tea Subscription Box will let you modify the box with your loved one’s tea preferences in mind, creating a wholly unique gift that will treat them throughout the year. If you’re hosting a Lunar New Year celebration, you may even want to get the box for yourself and share the teas with your guests!
Books
Books are great gifts for all ages, but are especially good for children. The Lunar New Year is a time to bring good fortune for the year ahead, and books are always the perfect presents to support the growth and development of the kids in your life.
The Little Shu Box features East Asian and Asian-American children’s books for kids up to eight years old. You can buy a single box to gift or get a subscription for year-long enrichment. Not only will kids be excited to get something fun for Lunar New Year, parents will also be excited to read with their children.
Keep It Meaningful
No matter what gift you decide to give to the people in your life for Lunar New Year, make sure you keep it personal and meaningful. Like any holiday, it’s not the monetary value that matters, but the thought and intention you put into the gift.
