The New Year is here, signalling fresh beginnings. Among all cultural festivals is the beloved Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It marks the start of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar, where we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new with hope and blessings.
During the festivities, families will come together for the New Year’s Eve dinner, witness spectacular lion dance performances, and visit temples.
Another long-standing tradition is visiting relatives and loved ones with gifts—a custom passed down for generations to express good wishes and gratitude.
The unspoken rule of Chinese etiquette is never to show up empty-handed, thus making gift-giving exciting for most people yet a worrying process for some.
In this article, we’ve curated 6 luxurious and culturally meaningful Chinese New Year gift ideas so that you can get the perfect gift for the upcoming festive season.
1. Luxury Hand Creams
What’s the most thrilling and anticipated part of Chinese New Year? It’s receiving ang paus, of course! These red envelopes are traditionally filled with money and given by elders or married couples to the younger generation, symbolising prosperity and good fortune blessings.
The celebration lasts 15 days so get ready to receive (or hand out) ang paus non-stop for days. After exchanging endless amounts of ang paus, those hands can get a little dry so a luxury hand cream is handy here.
A fast-absorbing daily hand cream with a delicate aroma not only keeps the hand soft and moisturised but also adds a subtle, sophisticated fragrance that makes the exchange process for the giver and receiver a memorable one too.
For an extra-special touch, you can pair the hand cream with a mini scented candle, making it a practical yet undeniably indulgent gift.
2. Elegant Tea Sets or Premium Tea Blends
Tea is a cornerstone of Chinese culture. Aside from being a delicious beverage with health benefits, tea is a gesture of hospitality and respect, often served during Chinese New Year to represent harmony and unity.
It’s also used in tea ceremonies for Chinese weddings, whereby the newlyweds serve tea to both sides of the family as a sign of gratitude and honour.
Getting a premium tea set or a fine blend of jasmine, oolong, or pu’er makes a refined gift, often associated with longevity and offering potential health benefits of strengthening the immune and digestive systems.
Look for sets with intricate designs or storage boxes for added elegance and functionality. Some tea sets even provide creative packaging options like classic embossing and engraving, transforming them into personalised gifts.
3. Signature Perfumes
Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy EDP 100ml + Body Souffle 100ml + Shower Gel 100ml
Original price was: RM510.RM359Current price is: RM359.
Ariana Grande Cloud Set EDP 100ml + Body Souffle 100ml + Body Mist 118ml
Original price was: RM620.RM449Current price is: RM449.
Ariana Grande Moonlight EDP 100ml + Body Souffle 100ml + Body Mist 118ml
Original price was: RM460.RM329Current price is: RM329.
Ariana Grande ARI Set EDP 100ml + Body Souffle 100ml + Shower Gel 100ml
Original price was: RM510.RM359Current price is: RM359.4. Chinese Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry or Accessories
2025 is the Year of the Snake, so one way to celebrate it is with zodiac-inspired keepsakes—the Chinese zodiac animal sign based on our birth year.
What do you wear for good luck on Chinese New Year? It is believed that during the Snake Year, wearing charm bracelets, pendants, or decorative accessories featuring the snake in elegant designs can bring protection, luck, and ward off negative energy.
Another timeless piece would be gold jewelry, as it is a sign of wealth and attracts positive energy. Gifting dazzling gold rings or necklaces to loved ones may bring them good fortune and abundance in the Snake Year.
5. Decorative Fortune Plants or Flowers
You won’t be surprised to notice that your Chinese friends or families have decorated their houses with vibrant red couplets, lanterns, and paper cuttings upon visiting them.
Red is an auspicious colour with multiple meanings such as luck, vitality, prosperity, and happiness.
Fortune plants and symbolic flowers are staples of the Chinese New Year that invite luck and fortune. This makes lucky bamboo, mandarin orange trees, or peonies in decorative pots great gift choices for a festive flair.
Care Instructions and Placement Tips for Best Feng Shui
Remember that lucky bamboos only require moderate sunlight. Change the water every two weeks or more frequently to keep them healthy.
The ideal spots for the lucky bamboo are the east and southeast areas of your living room to enhance positive energy and attract wealth!
6. Gourmet Hampers
A gift that never goes out of style during Chinese New Year? A gourmet hamper packed with your recipient’s favourite festive treats is a sure-to-please gift for foodies.
You can either choose a pre-designed hamper or create your personalised gift basket. Fill it with a mix of traditional and premium goodies such as pineapple tarts representing luck and prosperity, candied fruits, and almond or peanut cookies.
For those seeking health and wellness, traditional Chinese medicines like ginseng and other herbal supplements are recommended too.
As a finishing touch, use a decorative basket or box in red and gold, and complete it with an elegant ribbon for presentation points.