9 unique Chinese New Year gift ideas to help you make a good first impression
Feeling stressed about an invitation to a colleague’s or boss’s CNY gathering? We’ve rounded up some gift ideas and pointers to avoid any social faux pas.
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Traditional Chinese New Year gifts like oranges and hongbaos can be supplemented with an additional gift to show your appreciation to your host.
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It’s that time of the year for reunion dinners and feasting on delicious snacks (pineapple tarts and shrimp rolls, anyone?). Visits to loved ones during Chinese New Year are usually casual affairs. But what if you’re not familiar with Chinese New Year customs or have been invited to an acquaintance’s (or your boss’) home for the first time? You certainly don’t want to be the guest who commits a social gaffe and becomes the topic of water cooler gossip.
Not to worry, we’ve compiled some simple dos and don’ts to help you enjoy the festivities in a fun, faux-pax free way.
CHINESE NEW YEAR GIFTING 101
If you only remember one tip, remember this – wear bright colours (think red, orange and gold) and avoid white and/or black outfits as they are associated with mourning.
Upon entering, give your host a pair of Mandarin oranges and wish them “gong xi fa cai” (wishing you prosperity). Your host will return a pair when you leave to symbolise the sharing of good fortune.
If you’re married, prepare hong bao or red packets filled with crisp and new dollar notes for any child present. The amount you choose (commonly S$8, S$18 or S$88) should be an even number – eight sounds like the word “luck” in Mandarin. Always avoid the number four as it sounds like the word “death”.
There are some gifts you should also avoid, like watches and clocks. The Chinese words for gifting a clock sounds like “funeral” and also symbolises running out of time or death. Sharp objects like knives are another no-no (save that EDC multi-tool for another occasion). They suggest a severing of a friendship or relationship.
Likewise for books and shoes – the former sounds similar to “lose” or “defeat” in Mandarin, while “shoe'” sounds like sighing, both of which are regarded as inauspicious.
Consider an additional gift to show your appreciation especially if it’s for a meal. Chinese New Year gifts centre around wishing the recipient an abundance of good fortune and happiness. Gifts are chosen for what they may represent in the form of colours, numbers and meanings. Common gifts tend to be Chinese New Year goodies or food hampers.
People often wait till the last minute to pick up something generic from the mall or supermarket. However, a thoughtful gift (one that’s not overly flashy, cheap or intimate) can make a good impression. Now that you know the basics of Chinese New Year gifting, we’ve compiled a list of gifts that will stand you in good stead with your hosts.
Tea is a traditional and valued Chinese New Year gift. If your recipient is a tea drinker, then a tea with “dragon” in its name couldn’t be more a more apt way to welcome the Year of the Dragon. Long jing or dragon well tea, a well known variety of roasted green tea produced in Hangzhou, China has a toasty flavour and delicate aroma.
TWG Tea Jade Dragon Tea (S$48)
Singaporean luxury teahouse chain TWG Tea is known for its artisanal teas. This blend offers a full-bodied green tea with a hint of sweetness on the palate. The leaves are plucked in spring and rolled into long, elegant strands which will unfurl when steeped to yield a golden-hued infusion.
The Tao of Tea Oolong Tea Sampler set (S$41.12)
If you’re uncertain about what type of tea your host likes, this set could solve your dilemma. It includes three varieties of oolong tea, Black Dragon (toasty, strong oolong from Fujian, China), Green Dragon (smooth, grassy-sweet oolong from Fujian Province, China) and Frozen Summit (floral green oolong from central Taiwan).
HARIO Cha Cha Kyusu Maru Tea Pot, 450ml (S$12.93)
For tea lovers, enjoying a fresh brew while watching the tea leaves unfurl may be one of life’s simple pleasures. This made-in-Japan teapot from renowned glass manufacturer Hario features a sleek, modern silhouette. It’s available in three sizes – the 450ml pot will suffice for one or two people while the 700ml pot caters to a bigger group. The large mesh basket allows tea leaves to expand fully and then easily removed to not over steep the tea. Complement this with a set of 5 HARIO Heat Resistant Glass Cups (S$13.44).
Why not supplement your gift of Mandarin oranges with this treat for teetotallers? This flavour-packed fizzy drink is made from organic blood oranges from the foothills of Sicily’s Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.
Aderia Tsugaru Vidro Sake Cup Gift Set (S$43.51, Usual Price S$58)
If your host is a sake drinker, these colourful and delicate Japanese sake cups packaged in a gift box will make a spectacular gift. Each set features five handmade cups in a variety of patterns and colours inspired by Japan’s four seasons. The different designs also ensure that users don’t get their cups mixed up – so there’s less washing for your host.
If your host entertains frequently, they may love collecting different styles of crockery. These made-in-Japan glazed ceramic plates feature stylised cherry blossom designs as well as slightly irregular shapes which give each plate a unique, handmade feel. They’re great as appetiser, side or dessert plates.
Nanyang Sauce Secret Organic Happiness Organic Virgin Brew Light Soy Sauce set (S$369)
What is the most ubiquitous condiment in Singapore? If you guessed soya sauce, you’re probably right. Made by award-winning Singapore-based Nanyang Sauce, this artisanal soy sauce is naturally brewed over nine months. It uses organic soybeans air-flown from Bhutan than aged an additional 24 months in decades-old clay vats under the sun. The specially designed bottles can even be used as vases after the sauce is consumed. Have a more modest budget? Their website offers gift sets from S$29.90
Want your gift to stand out amid a sea of generic store-bought snacks? This brick-shaped Taiwanese take on pineapple tarts is shaped like a small brick. Each buttery brick of pineapple pastry is made using New Zealand butter and organically grown native Taiwan pineapples. Individually packaged in a box and limited-edition Year of the Dragon totebag, the pineapple cakes are known for being tangy and mildly sweet, ideal for those who have a less sweet tooth.
From tea to sake to locally made artisanal soya sauce and a more upmarket take on the ubiquitous pineapple tart, these gift ideas that show you've put effort into selecting a gift that your recipient will appreciate and enjoy.
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