22 fun Lunar New Year gifts to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit
You can gift-box some food that have some great health benefits such as edible bird’s nest, ginseng, walnuts, cordyceps, and goji berries.
26 Best Chinese New Year 2023 Gifts for Friends/Coworkers/Clients/Employees
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is the biggest festival for Chinese people and many other people with other Asian heritage. It is a time for giving gifts to express respect and affection. Looking for ideas for Chinese New Year gifts? Here we’ve rounded up the top gifts for friends, clients, employees, coworkers, and families at Chinese New Year.
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- Chinese New Year Gifts for Friends or Coworkers
- Chinese New Year Gifts for Clients
- Chinese New Year Gifts for Employees
- Chinese New Year Gifts for Seniors
- Chinese New Year Gifts for Kids
- Gifts You Should Never Give
5 Popular Chinese New Year Gifts for Friends or Coworkers
Choosing a Chinese New Year gift for your friends is based mostly on the intimacy of your friendship. Here are five of our favorite go-to gift ideas for friends or coworkers.
1. Food Combos and Hampers
‘Everyone loves food dearly’, it is said of people in China. So, it is perfect to give food as a gift. Maybe some healthy dried fruits, roasted nuts, chocolate, cookies, crackers, wafers, cheese… and the list goes on.
2. Tea Packets
Most Chinese people love tea. Tea is always a nice gesture no matter whether your hosts are Chinese or not. A nicely wrapped box of tea is much better than giving bagged tea for gifts.
3. Fruit Baskets
Fruit baskets are a common and proper gift for your Chinese friends or colleagues, and they can be found in many large shops. Giving a box of oranges or a box of apples is also recommended because apples and oranges respectively symbolize safety and fortune.
4. Home Supplies
If your hosts have moved into a new house not long beforehand, then home supplies such as a tea set, electrical equipment, or crockery are popular choices.
5. Alcohol and Tobacco
If your Chinese hosts drink alcohol, preparing a nice bottle of alcohol could be a nice choice. If your male Chinese host smokes, find out what he likes. He will appreciate a nice carton of whichever brand it is.
5 Popular Chinese New Year Gifts for Clients
A new year is a chance to build new bonds and strengthen existing ones. Chinese New Year is the perfect time to wish your client a prosperous new beginning and good luck. You can choose one among the following top 5 ideas:
1. “Year of the . “— Chinese Zodiac Animal Items
The Chinese zodiac gives each year an animal sign. It is a good idea to send your client a showpiece or gift item of the animal that year. It is a way to wish good fortune and show your knowledge of Chinese culture.
2. Chinese Tea Set
Tea is an integral part of Chinese culture. Sending a tea set is a great way to send best wishes for health and to show your respect.
3. Quality Water Bottle
A water bottle is perfect as a corporate gift. Consider a high-quality and decent option with your company’s branding.
4. Personalized Client Gift Boxes
Everyone loves a customized gift. If you know what your client’s interests are, you can consider a custom gift. Write your own message or attach photos to the inside of the gift box. Your clients will love the personalized touch you’ve given these greeting boxes.
5. Flavored Chocolates
Every year deserves to begin and end on a sweet note. Thus, chocolates can be a great gift for clients, wishing a sweet new year. It is better to get multi-flavored chocolates like matcha, durian, dark, and wasabi for cheerfulness and stimulating interest.
5 Popular Chinese New Year Gifts for Employees
Chinese New Year is a great time to show your appreciation for your employees. Here are some of the best new year gift ideas for your employees.
1. Virtual Gift Cards
Thanking employees with gift cards is one of the best gift ideas. Holders can use them to purchase goods or services. You can buy cards from a wide variety of retailers, for example, Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, and eBay.
2. Customized Themed Merchandise
Giving your employees customized-themed merchandise as a new year gift is a good way to thank them and keep them motivated. The merchandise can be coffee mugs, pens, and notebooks. Make sure you include their name or initials on the merchandise.
3. Food Combos and Hampers
Chinese New Year is a time for people to gather together and share food. You can prepare food combos for your employees, including some healthy dried fruits, roasted nuts, chocolate, cookies, crackers, wafers, cheese, etc.
4. Electronics and Gadgets
Tech products are an important part of your employees’ work and life. You can consider preparing some electronics which are cool, sleek, and functional for your employees, such as a Kindle, a Switch, a portable laptop stand, noise-canceling headphones, or a smart gadget charging hub.
5. A Small Trip
After a year of hard work, rewarding employees with a short trip is a good idea. It will unwind them and rejuvenate them mentally as well. Some short trips to nearby resorts or a relaxing town can be great.
5 Popular Chinese New Year Gifts for Seniors
For seniors, it is popular to choose a New Year gift with health benefits. So, anything you can think of that will make the seniors feel healthier and bring pleasure to their life is okay.
1. Hat, Gloves, Scarf or Clothes
If you are familiar with your hosts, you can prepare a hat, a pair of gloves, a scarf or some other warm clothing as a gift for the seniors in your hosts’ family.
2. Comb or Foot Bath Massager
In traditional Chinese medicine, massage is a gentle and effective way to repair one’s body. A high-quality comb can be used to massage the head, and a foot bath massager will improve the blood circulation of the feet, which will bring the seniors warmth in a cold winter.
3. Tonic Foods
You can gift-box some food that have some great health benefits such as edible bird’s nest, ginseng, walnuts, cordyceps, and goji berries.
4. Crafts
You can give craft gifts according to the receivers interests. For example, paintings and porcelain for antique fans, and tea set for a tea lover.
5. A Tea Set
For a tea lover, you can give a tea set, or a nice gift box of their favorite tea if they already have a tea set.
6 Popular Chinese New Year Gifts for Kids
The key point to choosing a New Year gift for your hosts’ children is to select an item which can express your good wishes for the children, either for their healthy growth, enjoyment, or for their studies.
1. Red Envelops/Packets
If your Chinese hosts have children, do not forget to prepare some red envelopes (hongbao) with suitable amounts of new bills in. This is the easy and traditional go-to Chinese gift for kids that fits all circumstances.
2. Candy and Chocolates
Take some candy with you during Chinese New Year; so that you can give some happiness to the kids you come across.
3. School Supplies
Visiting your Chinese hosts with some school supplies like a writing pen, a school notebook or a nice box of painting brushes (if the kids are keen on painting) will give the kids a pleasant surprise.
4. Books
Books such as enlightening reading materials or one of the world’s great classics, ideally chosen according to the child’s interests, are also highly recommended, and will represent your best wishes for their future.
5. Toys
A good-quality toy is also a nice gift for your hosts’ children, such as a Barbie doll for a little girl, and a remote-control car for a little boy. A chess set or other game is a good gift for a teenager.
6. Clothes
If you are quite intimate with your hosts’ family, you can buy their children a set of clothes as a gift. It can be a practical gift based on the child’s needs.
Things You Should Not Give as a New Year Gift
There are some things which are a big no-no to give to your Chinese friends during Lunar New Year. Don’t buy them, otherwise your friends may break up with you when receiving them.
Things in Black or White
Red is the lucky color in China. As black and white are often used at funerals, white or black presents and wrapping paper should be avoided.
Necklaces
Don’t give a necklace as a gift to a platonic friend. Chinese people think things like necklaces, ties, and belts are associated with intimate relations. These things are often given by boyfriends/girlfriends or couples.
A Green Hat
Wearing a green hat means one’s wife is unfaithful. So a green hat should be avoided.
Tips on Giving a Gift
- The gifts should be in right colors. Red and gold are considered fortunate colors and white and black are taboo colors.
- Don’t give the gift with unlucky meaning, such as clock which is related to ‘death’.
- Take a pair of gifts with you, as Chinese people believe that good things should be in pairs.
- Do remember to remove the price tag. A gift with a price tag is a hint to the receiver that the gift is expensive, and that the sender is expecting a gift of the equal price.
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22 fun Lunar New Year gifts to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit
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- A box of sweet oranges makes the best gift
- A Lego set you can display every Lunar New Year
- It’s also the Year of the Cat
- Satisfy the sweet tooth
- Cook an authentic meal
- A glowing look for the new year
- A stuffed bunny for the youngest members in your celebration
- Serve a post-dinner tea
- Load up on dumplings for prosperity
- A playful app that teaches kids about Lunar New Year traditions
- A lucky charm to keep you prosperous
- A cast iron cookware upgraded for the year of the rabbit
- Brush away bad luck while bringing in the good
- Eat noodles to live a long life
- A limited edition premium Scotch
- Custom rice bowls
- A crystal rabbit sculpture
- Lunar New Year with a Swedish twist
- Lunar New Year for chocolate lovers
- Add a lucky plant to your home
- A cold, refreshing beverage that pairs well with dinner
- A gin from Vietnam to toast to Tet
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- January 22 marks the start of the Lunar New Year in 2023, an auspicious time for many people.
- We’ve rounded up an assortment of fun products to celebrate the year of the rabbit.
- Check out all of our gift guides for more ideas.
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In 2023, the Lunar New Year starts on January 22, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit. Observers traditionally celebrate with family reunions and dinners.
Also known as Chinese New Year, it is a two-week event, ending with the Lantern Festival on February 5. It is also celebrated by Koreans (Seollal), Vietnamese (Tet), Tibetans (Losar), Mongolians (Tsagaan Sar), and others. There may be cultural differences, but they all share similar values that anybody can take part in. In addition, Chinese New Year is a two-week event, ending with the Lantern Festival on February 5.
Although gifting isn’t a significant part of the event, there is the giving of money-filled red envelopes, often from adults to children, which signify the bestowing of good fortune. Otherwise, gifting tends to revolve around small meaningful items, such as fruit (oranges, in particular) and candy. Even if you don’t celebrate, we’ve curated a list of fun gifts to mark the year of the rabbit.
A box of sweet oranges makes a simple yet best gift
Harry and David Triple Treat Deluxe Fruit
Oranges are considered symbols of good luck and are often given as gifts during Lunar New Year. Tangerines, mandarins, apples, pears, and most other fruits also make great gifts.
A Lego set you can display every Lunar New Year
Lego Lunar New Year Display
A fun way for Lego fans to celebrate the Lunar New Year — dismantle and rebuild it every year. Small features represent the important aspects of the occasion.
It’s also the Year of the Cat
Swarovski Lucky Cat Ornament
If you’re celebrating Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, then it’s the year of the cat, not the rabbit (the rabbit isn’t part of the Vietnamese version of the zodiac). Fortunately, there are plenty of lucky cat items to choose from.
Satisfy the sweet tooth
Sugarfina Lunar Garden New Year 2-Piece Candy Bento Box
Pearl River Mart Lunar New Year Lucky Foods Carryout Box
You’ll often see trays of candy set out during Chinese New Year celebrations. It’s a hit with kids, naturally.
Cook an authentic meal
“Every Grain of Rice” by Fuchsia Dunlop
“Vietnamese Food Any Day” by Andrea Nguyen
“Korean Home Cooking” by Sohui Kim
Asian families who celebrate the Lunar New Year will cook big meals at home. Make a few authentic dishes using recipes from one of these terrific books on Asian cookery.
A glowing look for the new year
Pat McGrath Labs Venus in Fleurs Luxe Eyeshadow Quad
This special-edition compact from Pat McGrath Labs’ Lunar New Year collection includes four eyeshadows, buildable in matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes.
A stuffed bunny for the youngest members in your celebration
Holiday Lane Lunar New Year Plush Rabbit with Bib
The year of the rabbit lends itself to a variety of cute bunny-centric products, like this stuffed toy that’s perfect for kids or kids at heart.
Serve a post-dinner tea
Harney and Sons Lunar New Year 2023 Tea
Tea Drunk Year of the Rabbit Sampler
Tea drinking is a revered tradition in Asia, and you’ll find oolong tea served during the New Year. For its 2023 Lunar New Year blend, Harney took inspiration from the “nian gao” sweet rice cake that’s eaten around this time, with hints of caramel, sesame, and coconut. Or, try Tea Drunk’s Year of the Rabbit sampler, which includes four varieties that are sourced from the tea-growing regions in China.
Load up on dumplings for prosperity
Fly By Jing Soup Dumpling Starter Pack
Dumplings (jiaoxi in Mandarin Chinese) are eaten during Chinese New Year because they symbolize wealth (reminiscent of gold ingots used in imperial China). Get these from Fly By Jing, which includes their popular chili crisp. Be sure to pair everything with noodles for longevity.
A playful app that teaches kids about Lunar New Year traditions
Pok Pok Playroom
This educational app uses play as a way to teach. A recent update added a Lunar New Year component that teaches kids about the traditions and foods of this celebration.
A lucky charm to keep you prosperous
Kurt Geiger Rabbit Charm Keyring
Lunar New Year celebrations happen just once, but the year of the rabbit lasts the whole year (until the dragon enters in 2024). Among many things, the rabbit symbolizes intellect and the ability to turn misfortunes around. Attach this lucky charm to your bag or keys for prosperity and cuteness.
A cast iron cookware upgraded for the year of the rabbit
Zwilling Staub 6-quart Round Cocotte with Rabbit Knob
While this may look like a typical Staub cast iron pot, there’s a knob in the shape of a rabbit to add some Lunar New Year whimsy to your cookware. If you don’t own a wok, a cast iron vessel is a nice alternative for stir-fried foods. Plus: Blue is also considered a lucky color, especially when paired with green.
Brush away bad luck while bringing in the good
NARS Lunar New Year Brush Set
You’ll see a lot of red during the Lunar New Year, and that’s because the color symbolizes good fortune. These red-handle makeup brushes come with a matching case, bringing good luck and health into your well-being whenever you use them.
Eat noodles to live a long life
Whee! Noodles
Noodles are often served during the Lunar New Year as they represent longevity. The Chinese dish is called just that, Longevity Noodles, which is often made with egg noodles. Try a Japanese twist: Use buckwheat noodles in a soup called Toshikoshi Soba or New Year’s Eve Soba. For those who have gone plant-based, check out these options from Immi.
A limited Lunar New Year edition of premium Scotch
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Rabbit Edition
Alcohol is symbolic in that it represents good health and longevity. Although not Asian in origin, Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label blended Scotch whisky is popular during banquets and other celebrations. If you can’t get hold of the Year of the Rabbit edition, the regular Blue Label will still be a hit.
Custom rice bowls for new year’s dinner
Our Place Rice Bowl Set
Trendy home goods purveyor Our Place has a set of four rice bowls with a custom design — part of its limited-edition Year of the Rabbit collection that also includes a red version of its Instagram-famous Always Pan and Perfect Pot. This bowl set comes with four pairs of chopsticks and four chopstick rests.
A crystal rabbit sculpture that doubles as an art piece
Lalique Toulouse Rabbit Sculpture in Pink Crystal
This resting rabbit is a splurge, but what you get is a beautiful glass art piece that you can display after the celebrations are over. The pink version is limited to 188 pieces, while other colors are more affordable ($650).
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Swedish twist
IKEA Fössta Red Rabbit Doormat
IKEA has a limited-edition series of home goods called Fössta that’s all about the year of the rabbit. This doormat is a fun way to greet guests throughout the year. The collection won’t be restocked, so grab them soon.
Lunar New Year for chocolate lovers
See’s Candies Lunar New Year Assorted Chocolates
Chocolates and cookies are often given during the Lunar New Year. This box from renowned California chocolate maker See’s has a nice assortment.
Add a lucky plant to your home
Rooted Money Plant
Even if you aren’t planning a celebration you can still partake in some low-key traditions, like growing a Chinese money plant, also known as pilea peperomioides.
A cold, refreshing beverage that pairs well with dinner
Tsingtao (12-pack)
Sanzo Sampler
This crisp, German-style lager from China goes surprisingly well with not just Chinese and Asian cuisines but Western ones, too. And green is a lucky color that symbolizes wealth, health, and harmony.
For a nonalcoholic refreshment, Sanzo has four Asian-inspired flavored sparkling water. If you can’t pick one, try the sampler pack.
A gin from Vietnam to toast to Tet
Sông Cái Dry Gin
A gin made from heirloom Vietnamese ingredients and distillery equipment, Sông Cái offers a spirit that’s uniquely different from traditional gin. Mix it with tonic water and it’s a great way to ring in Tet.
Les is the Deputy Editor for Insider Reviews primarily overseeing the Tech team, which includes reviews and explainers of consumer electronics, streaming, gaming, and entertainment products and services. Previously, he also led Insider Reviews’ Style and Beauty, Tech and Electronics, Health, Fitness, and Outdoors, and Travel teams. He works with the Executive Editors on strategy for all of Insider Reviews. Previously, he was the editor of the many expert product buying guides that Business Insider and INSIDER recommend. In addition, he covers photography and printing products for the Tech section. Having started his career in print magazines, Les is a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience, as a writer, editor, and researcher. Prior to joining Insider, he was a senior editor at Digital Trends covering photography and in-depth features. His byline has appeared in publications including Computer Shopper, Men’s Journal, Men’s Fitness, and others. While his specialty is in consumer technology, he a versatile writer who has covered various topics including men’s lifestyle, health and fitness, outdoors, travel, women’s interest, automotive, photography, toys, and more. Originally from California, Les lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is obsessed with all things Ikea and Lego. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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