Instead of endlessly pondering the question, “What should I give as a Lunar New Year gift?” and circling around options like food, beverages, or decorative items, we can opt for a more meaning and thoughtful gift choice.
I love receiving lucky money. This fondness dates back to my childhood. On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, I would put on the brand-new outfit my mother had bought and set aside specifically for the occasion. Riding on the back of my father’s Honda CD motorcycle, we’d visit my paternal and maternal grandparents to extend New Year greetings. I’d then receive bright red envelopes filled with money. The thrill of feeling their thickness, guessing the amount inside, and carefully pulling out the crisp, fragrant bills—it felt as exhilarating as unboxing a surprise gift today!
As I grew older, this joy shifted from personal excitement to watching my nieces, nephews, or friends’ children react when I handed them lucky money. Their innocent and genuine expressions reveal their emotions instantly, depending on whether the amount inside met their expectations.
The red envelope, with its symbolic amount of “lucky money,” has thus become a cherished tradition in East Asian cultures. By giving these envelopes, we not only share joy but also wish the recipients good fortune in the coming year.
However, for adults navigating the complex world of social and professional relationships, Lunar New Year traditions like giving lucky money and exchanging greetings have grown less straightforward.
Adults still exchange lucky money during Lunar New Year. The amounts range widely—from symbolic sums to several million dong, or even tens of millions in some cases. This practice is generally reserved for casual, egalitarian workplace relationships where receiving money feels like a matter of chance or luck. However, when it comes to individuals we genuinely value, respect, or depend on—be it loved ones, respected elders, or influential connections—cash in red envelopes often feels impersonal. In these instances, a well-thought-out gift becomes the most elegant solution.
Lunar New Year gifts come in all forms and price ranges. Broadly speaking, they fall into three main categories: food, beverages, and decorative items. Depending on your budget, you can mix and match these options to create a gift that feels meaningful and appropriate for the recipient.
There was a time when Lunar New Year gifting spiraled into a competitive frenzy. Subordinates vied to impress their superiors, or sought to curry favor in business relationships, with lavish gifts. Extravagant baskets containing imported liquors, pricey Spanish hams, and rare limited-edition items like gourd-shaped pomelos were paired with “red envelopes” that weren’t always red. Each year, people scrambled to find the most unique, standout items to ensure their gifts gained maximum attention.
But excess inevitably breeds chaos, and chaos invites regulation. In recent years, restrictions on extravagant Lunar New Year gifting, particularly in government agencies, have tightened. The transformation of a beautiful cultural tradition into an opportunity for bribery has left a negative mark on society.
What Makes the Thoughtfulness and Meaningful Lunar New Year Gift?
When considering common gift options—alcohol, food, and decorations—they all share one trait: they are either consumable or fade with time.
However, there is one gift that has endured for millions of years, hidden deep within the earth, and only unearthed by humans in the last few centuries. This gift is a stone with remarkable hardness (6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, just below diamond and ruby), exceptional toughness, and an ability to resist breaking. Its enchanting green hue exudes subtlety, purity, and tranquility—qualities often associated with wisdom gained through life’s experiences. This is jadeite jade.
For centuries, jade has symbolized virtue, nobility, and justice. Traditional sayings like “A heart as pure as jade” or “Words as precious as jade” underscore its cultural significance. Offering jade as a gift signifies profound respect and a desire for a relationship that is as enduring, strong, and untainted as the stone itself.
When measured against the criteria of an ideal Lunar New Year gift, jadeite jade satisfies many benchmarks. Moreover, the jadeite pieces in Lucky Qi’s Lunar New Year Collection are handcrafted by skilled Vietnamese artisans, adding an extra layer of sophistication and cultural depth. Accompanied by elegantly designed packaging made from premium art paper, these gifts carry heartfelt wishes in a graceful and meaningful manner. To me, they are a fitting and thoughtful choice for Lunar New Year gifting.
Plum Blossom Jade Card, a product in Lucky Qi's 2025 Tet collection. Photo: Lucky Qi.
Of course, these products are not directly comparable to expensive imported liquors or luxury Spanish hams—they represent entirely different gifting philosophies. However, if you are seeking a refined and subtle gift to express gratitude and respect in a treasured relationship, jadeite jade might be the perfect choice.
The jadeite jade pieces in Lucky Qi’s Lunar New Year Collection are the first step in our mission to offer meaningful, heritage-rich gifts. Lucky Qi is committed to expanding its offerings across diverse price ranges, ensuring that each product is not just a possession but a cultural touchpoint—a timeless treasure to be experienced, cherished, and passed down through generations.
This article reflects the author’s perspective and views, without criticizing anyone. The choice of which products to purchase is entirely yours.
Lucky Qi team