CHINESE NEW YEAR: LAI SEE 101

Chinese New Year is one of the most important traditional holidays in China. We arrived just 1 week before the Chinese New Year holiday began, which includes 3 days off during the week so that people can travel home to see their families (or in our case - take a vacation). The festival begins on the 1st day of the 1st month of the lunar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. Being new to this tradition, I spent an hour or so researching the lai see (red envelope) etiquette on the internet as I did not want to offend my family and colleagues. Here's what I learned.

Who receives the red envelopes?
Traditionally, during the Chinese New Year celebrations, red envelopes (lai see) are given from married couples to unmarried juniors. However, many people hand out red envelopes to those that support them during the year. This can include an office admin, support staff at work, dog walker, doorman, etc. Some people give out red envelopes to their elders and bosses if they are not married. We even gave lai see to our great uncle and great aunt who invited us to their home for CNY. Since so many people can receive lai see during the CNY holiday, it's best to always have some "extra" packets on hand in case of emergency:)

Where can you get red envelopes?
You can pick up the red envelopes at nearly any bank in Hong Kong. You can also purchase the red envelopes in many markets throughout the city. These tend to be more decorative and quite beautiful.

What is the right amount to give?
This is the trickiest question to answer, since it can vary by person from a couple of dollars to several hundred dollars. In most instances, HK$10 - $20 is appropriate. I gave more to my colleagues and my unmarried cousins. You should try to carry around extra HK$10, $20, $50 and $100 bills during the CNY holiday in case you run into someone you need to give lai see to.

The amount given should always be in even numbers. Odd numbers are associated with amounts given out during funerals. Odd and even numbers are determined by the first digit, rather than the last. 8 and 6 are considered lucky numbers. 4 is considered an unlucky number since in Catonese the pronounciation sounds like "die". It would be very inappropriate to give someone $4, $40 or $400, etc.

Coins should never be given. Try to use a single, crisp bank note if you can. Before the CNY holiday, you will see many people lined up at the banks to get new crisp notes.


How do you hand out the lai see packets?
You should use both hands when giving out a packet. You should wish the receiver a happy CNY ("Gong Hei Fat Choi").  You also exchange blessings at this time.

If a married couple hands out lai see together, 2 packets should be given (1 from each partner).

Are there any other gifts I should pass out during this time?
If friends or relatives invite you to their home for CNY, it is custom to bring gifts like cakes, fruit, chocolate or candy.

Tangerine trees decorate most buildings and streets during Chinese New Year. The tangerines symbolize gold, which represents abundance and good fortune.