Asian New Year Question

H

Hard Idle

Active member
Jan 15, 2005
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For the custom of giving money for Chinese New Year, is there a particularly authontic or proper type of envelope to use, and if so where are some good places to buy some? .(preferrably on Yonge or in the Chinatown area)

Also are there any small gifts or customs which are particular to Vietnamese New Year's festivities?
 
Hard Idle said:
For the custom of giving money for Chinese New Year, is there a particularly authontic or proper type of envelope to use, and if so where are some good places to buy some? .(preferrably on Yonge or in the Chinatown area)

Also are there any small gifts or customs which are particular to Vietnamese New Year's festivities?
Click to expand...

I can only speak to Chinese tradition. It is customary to place the money in a red envelope (white is verboten as it is considered a funerary colour). The standard red envelope is usually somewhere in the range of 2-3 inches wide and 3.5-5 inches tall. It is typically a glossy poppy red with gold printing (some message of happy new year / prosperity / health / etc or pictures of festive items/figures). Banks with larger Chinese customer bases hand them out (or used to) but you can buy them from most stationary/book stores in Chinatown(s). You can ask at the counter or you may see them in shrink wrapped packets on the shelves.

On gifts ... mandarin oranges/oranges and chocolates (esp Ferrero Rocher, or anything gold wrapped) are safe choices. These are from the Chinese tradition and the more accessible choices as their are other more traditional items (don't read strange) but various nuts and foods symbolizing things (prosperity, wealth, happines, good wishes, and virility).

Happy Lunar New Year!!!!
 
Traditionally, red envelopes of money are only given to children. Of course, you are still considered a child if you have never been married, and since I haven't, I can still collect from my married family and friends, even though I am older than some of them.
 
Steve-A said:
What is a typical amount of money to give in one of the red envelopes?
Click to expand...

120/half
200/full

(sorry couldn't resist)
 
Hard Idle said:
For the custom of giving money for Chinese New Year, is there a particularly authontic or proper type of envelope to use, and if so where are some good places to buy some? .(preferrably on Yonge or in the Chinatown area)
Click to expand...

They have some in Carlton Cards (Chinese New Year Section).
 
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