How much red packet money to give on Chinese New Year?

During Chinese New Year, giving red packets to people is a custom that combines goodwill gestures, cultural values, and symbolism. Strengthening family and societal ties through this custom is very important as it promotes happiness for the following year. The right quantity for these red packets, however, can be difficult to determine because of considerations such as cultural customs, relationships, and budgetary constraints.

We have asked around our friends and colleagues for advice and have summarised the information collected in the table below, which acts as a general guideline based on their views on accepted practices. Remember that these are approximations from the communities we asked, and you should adjust them to your own situation:

Immediate Family

Extended Family

Children

Colleagues

Other Occasions

Remember that these are just recommendations from our little research for a fun reference. Do adjust the amountsto suit your comfort level and the particular dynamics of your connections.

Chinese New Year red packet exchanges are a long-standing custom that perfectly capture the essence of the holiday. Red packages signify cultural values, familial relationships, and a shared aspiration for prosperity beyond just the monetary exchange. Giving red packets is a long-standing and deeply felt gesture of generosity during the Lunar New Year, bringing generations together and building a sense of community that goes beyond tradition and time.