Buying GuideAn Outsider’s Guide To Preparing For Chinese New Year 2024: Gifting Do’s & Don’ts

Parade describes Chinese New Year as “a celebration based on the ancient Chinese lunar calendar. It typically lasts about 16 days and is a time for honouring deities and ancestors, as well as for hosting family gatherings and feasts.” While the revered holiday is generally celebrated exclusively by East Asian cultures, some families have invited members from other cultures to join the celebrations.

Whether you’re planning on visiting China in February or are one of the lucky few who have been invited to join in on the festivities, you’re going to need a crash course in the traditions, particularly in picking out gifts for Chinese New Year. Luckily we here at LDV have got you covered! We’ve formulated a comprehensive gift guide filled with recommendations and tips on gifting etiquette so that you can celebrate Chinese New Year 2024 respectfully.

In this guide, we will tell you:

• 15 things you should know before shopping for gifts for Chinese New Year
• What to get your friends for Chinese New Year
• What to get the little ones in your life for Chinese New Year

Things You Should Know Before Shopping For Gifts For Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year gifting etiquette can be a tricky line to toe. Every gift has a meaning tied to it and everyone who celebrates the holiday needs to know which have negative connotations to it. Fortunately, we’ve taken the liberty of creating a list of all the items you should avoid using as gifts for Chinese New Year and why. Now you have a cheat sheet you can keep next to you while you do some shopping.

Here’s what to avoid using as gifts for Chinese New Year 2024:

• White, black or blue items - These colours are often associated with funerals and consequently death. That said it is best to avoid items and even wrapping paper that are mostly black, white or blue. Instead, opt for gifts that are red or gold as these are considered to be lucky colours.
• Anything of 4 - China Highlights explains that “in Chinese, the number four (sì /srr/) sounds similar to the word for death (sǐ)” therefore its believed that gifting items in fours or that contain fours in its packaging or design is considered unlucky. Also, steer clear of items that display numbers containing a four.
• Ties, belts & necklaces - This rule applies to friends, coworkers and clients. Belts, ties and necklaces are seen as intimate gifts that should be reserved for your partner.
• Hats - Traditionally when an elderly person passes away in China, their children mourn by wearing a hat made especially for that purpose. This is why it is considered taboo to gift someone a hat for Chinese New Year. Matter of fact some people throw their hats into the street on the holiday as a way to ‘throw away’ their grief.
• Watches & clocks - Clocks and watches come with two meanings in Chinese culture. Generally, they are seen as a reminder to everyone (especially the elderly) that they have limited time on this earth, but in Chinese, the phrase ‘giving a clock’ sounds the same as ‘attending a funeral’. This is why gifting a clock or watch to someone is the biggest taboo in Chinese culture.
• Shoes - Shoes are a big no-no as a gift. In Chinese, ‘shoes’ shares the same word as ‘evil’. Additionally, shoes can be seen as derogatory as they are something you step on.
• Candles - Candles are often used in conjunction with offerings to the dead in China. Therefore they are strongly associated with death and should not be used as gifts even if they are the scented or flameless kind.
• Mirrors - This rule applies to not just Chinese culture but also other cultures across the Asian continent. They are believed to attract ghosts but also can be broken easily which is a bad omen.
• Sharp objects - Gifting sharp objects like scissors, knives or needles is often associated with severing ties with someone in China. That’s why it’s considered bad luck to gift a loved one something sharp during Chinese New Year.
• Bouquets - Bouquets are often gifted at funerals, especially white flowers. These flowers are therefore often associated with death and are a gift to avoid for Chinese New Year 2024.
• Handkercheifs - Another gift often given at funerals, handkerchieves are known as a symbol of saying goodbye forever. Gifting someone a handkerchief could insinuate that you’re cutting all ties with them.
• Umbrellas - When gifting a loved one an umbrella, it insinuates that you’re cutting ties or breaking up with them. This is because the word for ‘umbrella’ in Chinese sounds similar to the word for ‘breaking up’.
• Wallets - This rule is dependent on who you are gifting the wallet to. If you are giving it to a friend or coworker then it symbolises that you are giving away your money and luck. However, if you are gifting it to someone in your immediate family who you share finances with then it is acceptable.
• Dolls - Similarly to mirrors, dolls (specifically cloth dolls) are believed to attract evil spirits in Chinese culture.
• Pears - While fruit is a common gift for Chinese New Year, pears in particular are considered bad luck. This is because in Chinese ‘pears’ and ‘parting’ share the same word.

What To Get Your Friends For Chinese New Year 2024

Wondering what would make a great Chinese New Year gift for your friends? Picking one depends mostly on how close your relationship is, but we have a few recommendations that would work well for any kind of friendship.

Lindt Chocolate & Botegga Gold Prosecco

It’s been said that the Chinese people love food and that it’s one of the best gifts for Chinese New Year. That said who wouldn’t love a box of chocolates, especially Lindt chocolate? It’s one of the most popular sweets on the planet! Pair it with a mini bottle of fizz and you’ve got the perfect gift for Chinese New Year 2024. Plus its red and gold packaging gives it an extra festive feel and hopefully bestows some good luck on the recipient. You can find this gift combo on Moonpig for only £14. Feel free to use one of our Moonpig discount codes to help save a little extra on delivery fees.

Cute Cat Ceramic Tea Cup with Infuser

Being one of the most popular beverages in both the UK and China, tea & tea sets are always a lovely gesture especially if you’re looking for a gift that will be used every day. We highly recommend this ceramic cat tea mug from Etsy. Integrating both a mug and a built-in infuser, this adorable mug comes in four colours and can be personalised with a name. Practical, customisable and cute? What more can you ask for? Did we mention it’s handmade too? Add it to your basket for only £27.97 and start someone’s Chinese New Year with a little bit of joy.
Seller Heartofchina

Build Your Own Fruit Basket

If you’re in the market for a more kosher gift to give for Chinese New Year 2024, a fruit basket will definitely tick all the boxes. Fruit baskets are common gifts given during Chinese New Year, many of which consist of exclusively apples or oranges as they’re believed to attract fortune and safety. However finding a fruit basket that contains only apples and oranges (and no pears) can be difficult, luckily Gift Baskets Overseas offers a build your own version. You can add 6 apples & oranges to the basket plus other items like wine, soft drinks, sweets and savoury foods. The best part is the price is based on the items added to the basket so you can customise it to your budget. The cherry on the cake however is that they accept Gift Baskets Overseas discount codes!

What To Get The Little Ones For Chinese New Year 2024

Need a little Chinese New Year gift inspo for the little ones in your life? The rule of thumb is to opt for gifts that express good wishes for the children (particularly for their health or studies). That said we have a couple of ideas below that we think the little ones in your life would enjoy.

Retro Classics Sweet Jar

It’s no secret that children love sweets and what better way to start their New Year than with a 1kg jar of vintage sweets? Suitable for vegans and sweet tooths alike, this jar is filled to the brim with flying saucers, fizzy colas, fruit pops, love hearts, parma violets and original fizzers. Start their New Year on a sweet note by ordering this jar from Moonpig for £16 or less when you use a Moonpig discount code!

Chinese New Year Red Money Envelopes

A go-to gift for Chinese New Year, red envelopes or hongbao are simple gifts that can be given to recipients of all ages. All you have to do is fill them with a suitable amount of money and seal them with a ribbon. These from Esty are made from red cardstock with the Chinese characters for ‘Happy New Year’ printed on the front. They also come with a matching tag with the character for ‘dragon’ and gold ribbon. They can be ordered in a set of 1, 3, 5 or 10 envelopes however the seller also accepts other quantities if needed.
Seller HareloomCrafts

Handmade Long Dragon Plush

Toys are a standard run-of-the-mill gift to give any child but if you want to make that gift extra special for Chinese New Year 2024 then we highly recommend getting them a dragon plush. Being the Chinese New Year animal for 2024, displaying dragon-themed decorations is a wonderful way to attract good luck and positivity. We think this long dragon from Etsy would be the perfect gift for the little ones in your life. This plush comes in two sizes and colours but can be customised depending on your needs. Feel free to use a Etsy discount code to help keep things within your budget.
Seller KobirdCreations

Save On Gifts For Chinese New Year With LDV

It is never too early to start preparing for a holiday! With our gift guide, you now have all the tips you need to find the perfect gifts for Chinese New Year. Don’t forget to do some extra research on Chinese New Year 2024 so you are well informed of all the traditions surrounding the holiday. For more holiday gift guides, feel free to check out the Buyers Guide section of our blog page. Don’t forget to also have a look at our Gifts & Occasions page for more discount codes. Wishing you prosperity and good fortune for 2024 from the LDV team!