How much money should you give in a hongbao this Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year will shortly be upon us – that wonderful time of the year where families and friends gather, banquet, ask bad-mannered questions and, aye, commutation crimson sleeves filled with cash.
Sure, COVID-19 safety direction measures limit the maximum number of unique visitors allowed for each household at five people per day. But this doesn't change the time-honoured custom of married adults giving abroad hongbao (cherry-red packets containing coin) to children and younger, unwed relatives. Information technology's an unequivocal Chinese New Year tradition favourite.
Who doesn't enjoy receiving auspiciously-coloured envelopes filled with money, which also doubles up as a symbol of skilful luck and blessings of longevity, prosperity and health? It sure makes coping with the inevitable "Why you lot still not married ah?" question from nosy relatives so much easier to bear.
Now, exactly how much 1 should receive in said envelope, is of class, entirely up to the giver. Merely is there such affair every bit a socially acceptable amount?
An breezy online poll CNA Lifestyle conducted on Twitter revealed that out of ane,425 people, 33 per cent were inclined to give Southward$10 and above in a hongbao for children, 21 per cent were going with Southward$eight, and 31 per cent were at the other end of the spectrum with S$two. And even though odd numbers are usually not favoured, 15 per cent voted for gifting Southward$v.
So, what exactly is the magic number? And is at that place an official hongbao etiquette to follow?
Seeing how the tradition of giving out reddish packets is believed to take originated from the do of giving "ya sui qian" or money to ward off evil spirits and protect the recipient from sickness and death, the modern twenty-four hours Chinese New year hongbao should really be seen as a gesture and not transaction.
But well wishes and skillful intentions notwithstanding, inappropriate amount hongbao imitation pas may cease upward hurting or offending all parties involved. So, here's a handy cheat sail to help you finesse the art of hongbao-giving this festive season.
Merely practice recollect, at the end of the twenty-four hours, information technology's the idea that counts and giving any y'all feel comfortable within your means.
FOR THE PARENTS: Every bit MUCH Every bit You lot Tin AFFORD
They raised y'all, housed you and fed you lot. Oh, and there is that "giving yous life" flake as well. There's no cap in the parents category – a substantial amount serves as sign of respect and a token of appreciation to thank them for everything that they've done for you.
FOR THE SIBLINGS: South$20 AND Above
Depending on their historic period and whether they're working, what serves as a decent amount in a sibling hongbao is entirely up to your discretion. To avert any possible clumsiness, a smaller token given "only for luck" will be appreciated if you're the younger, married sibling with an older sister or blood brother who is all the same unmarried.
FOR COUSINS, NEPHEWS AND NIECES: Southward$eight TO S$20
The amount here pretty much boils downward to their age and how close you are to them. While societal norms might dictate the expectation of larger hongbao be given to unmarried relatives just because they are family, it'due south perfectly acceptable to base of operations your decision on whether you're really close to them. If that's a yes, a S$20 hongbao would be a dainty gesture. For other relatives whom you see but once a year, giving a smaller hongbao will suffice.
YOUR OWN CHILDREN: S$20 TO Southward$100
The corporeality yous would requite your children varies depending on how erstwhile they are and the mental attitude yous would like them to cultivate towards coin. If your kids are preschooler young, a token amount will suffice – it'll exist a fun style for them to add the hongbao money to their piggy banking concern.
READ: How to enjoy Chinese New Yr without gaining weight and feeling sick
It'll serve as extra pocket money for the older kids and the opportunity to propose them to use information technology wisely – spend a little, give some to a worthy crusade, and save the residue. And if yous take more than one child, each ane should receive the aforementioned corporeality.
THE DOMESTIC HELPER OR SECURITY GUARD: South$x TO S$50
You don't have to go over-the-top and pass a red packet to every service staff you come across, but do think the pregnant few who characteristic in your everyday life.
Of course, the corporeality you requite should be dependent on your relationship with each of them, as well as how long they've been in your household or part life. But a substantial hongbao to the helper who makes your daily tasks just that little bit easier would certainly exist much appreciated.
STANDBY Greenbacks FOR ACQUAINTANCES: S $2 TO S$ten
These could exist children of acquaintances y'all run across while visiting, the domestic helpers in your relatives' homes, your child's classmates, or fifty-fifty your neighbours' kids.
READ: Why you should consider travel vaccinations even to places like Bali or Tokyo for your CNY getaway
Giving a hongbao is a sign of goodwill and blessings for the new year, so in that location is no strict rate to follow. Whatever amount you decide on depends on your financial situation, so don't feel obligated to give a large amount merely considering someone else is doing so.
OTHER TIPS
- Apply new banknotes
Crisp, new, direct-out-the-bank money symbolises a fresh first for the new year's day. And who doesn't beloved the feeling of smooth, crinkle-free notes to the touch? Inquiry also claims that people have a tendency to rid themselves of old, crinkled money past spending information technology more than quickly, while holding on to nice, crisp bills longer.
- Avoid odd numbers
Odd numbers like five or seven are mostly considered inauspicious, while even numbers signify proficient luck for the new year. Even fairly large amounts that contain an odd digit, like Southward$30, are considered unpropitious, and are usually reserved for wakes and funerals. You're better off with amounts like Due south$28.
- Avoid packing sums in denominations of four
For the uninitiated, "four" in Mandarin or Cantonese sounds like the word for decease. Not quite the give-and-take one likes bandied around during new year festivities, whether you're superstitious or non.
READ: Yusheng upgrade: Become fancy with uni, swordfish and gilt snapper sashimi
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/how-much-money-should-you-give-in-a-chinese-new-year-hongbao-246216
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