The ancient custom of Hong Bao, which is the gifting of a “Red Envelope”, also known as Lai See, by seniors to younger ones is believed to bring in good luck and fortune. For the Chinese, spring is a beautiful season and hence, their New Year in that season. So, logically the Chinese believe that a New Year should bring in good luck and fortune.

This envelope, which is red and golden, also contains money which is usually used by the recipient himself/herself a holiday treat or anything of their likings. The Chinese also believed that through these Traditional Chinese New Year gifts of the Red and gold envelope along with the money in it, blessings from the senior is being handed down to the young ones.

And while making the perfect traditional Chinese New Year gifts, these red and gold envelopes are also available in the market too. You can perhaps order them online.

However, note that the way of giving of these envelopes are not the same for the mainland Beijing, China and others Chinatowns around the world including Hong Kong.

And as for the money contain inside the red and golden envelope, it is upto the individual.

So, if you are giving a Chinese friend a Chinese New year gift, perhaps, the red and golden envelope could be the best gift you can give. They make perfect traditional Chinese New Year gifts.