The Giving Of Red Packets

The Chinese New Year will begin next week along with the giving of Red Packets during the 15 day celebration. The custom of giving these Red Packets or red envelopes is quite a lovely tradition in Asian countries. They have other names such as Ang Pow, Hong Bao, and Ang Bao. Here in the United States we might refer to them as money envelopes or gift envelopes.

This giving of red packets is new to me and I'm thinking it might be new to you, also. Draik introduced this tradition of the Ang Pow or red envelopes to me in her article Red Packets. She tells us who should receive a red packet during the Lunar New Year celebration and who should give a red packet. Draik also explains to those of us who are new to this tradition a proper amount of money to place in the envelope. Although, an even amount of money is appropriate, the number 4 should be avoided. I'll let you read why.

While reading her informative article, Draik also shows her readers examples of these red packets. Some are lovely and elegant while others are whimsical and cute. Being an Antique Specialist, my first thoughts were collecting these wonderful Asian pieces of ephemera (paper items that were meant to be used once and then thrown away). The collector gene in me would want to frame them and preserve them. Draik has a different idea. She plans to take some of her red packets and craft decorations for the next Chinese New Year. In fact, she has done an entire series of craft ideas using red packets.

Finding articles that introduce me to a tradition that is unfamiliar is exciting and I hope that you will enjoy reading about the giving of red packets during the celebrating of the Lunar New Year.

Image Credit: Red Envelope Motif by oph3lia