Top 30 Best Chinese New Year Gift Ideas for Friends & Family

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, marks a fresh start filled with traditions and joy. Just like the Western New Year, it is a time for expressing respect, affection, and gratitude through gift-giving. To help you choose the perfect present, we’ve compiled a list of thoughtful and culturally-appropriate Chinese New Year gift ideas. Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or colleagues, these ideas are sure to bring delight and meaning to the festivities.

Symbolic Gift Ideas for Chinese New Year

Many gifts exchanged during the Lunar New Year hold symbolic meaning, conveying wishes for good luck, health, and prosperity in the year to come. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Lucky Money Envelopes (Hongbao)

Giving lucky money envelopes (hongbao) is one of the most popular Chinese New Year gift traditions. These vibrant red envelopes symbolize good luck and prosperity. Traditionally, married couples and elders give them to children and unmarried adults.

Consider filling them with crisp, new bills in even denominations (avoiding the number four, which is considered unlucky in Chinese culture). You can also get creative and include gift cards or even lottery tickets! This gesture is a wonderful way to share blessings with friends, family, colleagues, and even your team at work.

Lucky Money Envelopes (Hongbao) Chinese New Year Gifts Ideas

• Fruit Basket

Certain fruits, like oranges and tangerines, symbolize wealth and good fortune in Chinese culture. A vibrant fruit basket overflowing with these auspicious fruits makes a generous and welcoming gift for business associates, families, or anyone you wish to extend prosperity to.

• Personalized "Year of the Snake" Ornament

If you're looking for what to give for Chinese New Year, consider a personalized ornament. Each Lunar New Year is associated with an animal from the Chinese zodiac. In 2025, it's the Year of the Snake. Gifting a personalized ornament with the year's zodiac animal adds a thoughtful touch to your present. 

Personal House offers a wonderful selection of customizable ornaments where you can add names, dates, or even a special message, transforming a simple decoration into a treasured keepsake.

Personalized "Year of the Snake" Ornament

• Jade Bracelet

Jade bracelets are popular Chinese New Year gifts that symbolize health, wealth, and good luck. A jade bracelet makes a timeless and elegant gift for someone you deeply respect, such as a parent or grandparent. 

• Set of Teacups

Wondering what to give for Chinese New Year to someone who enjoys traditional customs? Tea plays a central role in many Asian cultures, symbolizing hospitality and respect. Gifting a beautiful set of teacups is a wonderful way to encourage moments of relaxation and connection. This is a perfect present for tea-loving friends, colleagues, or clients, and a great way to honor Chinese New Year gift traditions.

Set Of Teacups Chinese New Year Gifts Ideas

• Chinese Calligraphy Scroll

Looking for unique Chinese New Year gifts? Calligraphy is a revered art form in Chinese culture. A scroll featuring auspicious characters like "福" (good fortune) or "春" (spring) adds an elegant and meaningful touch to any home. This is a wonderful gift for art lovers, those interested in Chinese culture, or anyone who appreciates traditional decor.

Chinese New Year Gifts for Good Fortune and Prosperity

Wishing someone a prosperous year ahead is a common theme during Lunar New Year. These Chinese New Year gift ideas help convey that sentiment and offer blessings for abundance and success.

• "Wealth and Abundance" Personalized Tray

Looking for unique Chinese New Year gifts that symbolize prosperity? This personalized tray makes a fantastic gift for anyone starting a new business, looking for a career change, or simply wanting a bit more financial luck in the new year. 

• Gold Coins or Jewelry

Gold coins are a classic choice when it comes to Chinese New Year gifts. Gold symbolizes wealth and prosperity in many cultures, making it an auspicious gift for Lunar New Year. This is a particularly fitting gift for close family members, especially children. 

Gold Coins Or Jewelry Chinese New Year Gifts

• Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo is a popular Chinese New Year gift believed to bring good fortune and positive energy. This is a wonderful present for anyone who enjoys houseplants or appreciates Asian symbolism. 

• Laughing Buddha Statue

The Laughing Buddha is a symbol of happiness, abundance, and good luck, making it a cheerful and auspicious gift for Lunar New Year. This is a great gift idea for someone who could use a little extra joy and positivity in their life. These statues come in various sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that fits your recipient's personality and home decor.

Laughing Buddha Statue Chinese New Year Gifts Ideas

• "Prosperity" Candles

Looking for what to give for Chinese New Year that creates a positive atmosphere? Candles with scents associated with prosperity, like cinnamon or sandalwood, can create a positive and inviting atmosphere. This makes them a thoughtful and symbolic gift for friends, colleagues, or anyone who enjoys aromatherapy. 

Lunar New Year Gift Ideas for the Home

Lunar New Year is a time to refresh and revitalize the home. These Chinese New Year gift ideas bring good luck and positive energy to any living space.

• Lanterns

Lanterns are a classic Chinese New Year decoration, symbolizing light, hope, and good fortune. Red lanterns are particularly auspicious for the Lunar New Year. They add a vibrant and celebratory touch to any space, making them a festive gift for families, friends, or anyone who enjoys decorating for the holidays.

• "Happy New Year" Personalized Doormat 

If you're looking for what to give for Chinese New Year that adds a personal touch to a home, consider a personalized doormat. This unique Chinese New Year gift welcomes guests with a festive greeting and adds a touch of personality to the home entrance. 

Personal House offers a variety of designs and customization options for their doormats. You can choose a design with Chinese characters, zodiac animals, or a simple "Happy New Year" message. 

This is a great gift for homeowners, new neighbors, or anyone who loves to decorate.

"Happy New Year" Personalized Doormat 

• Chinese Knots

Chinese knots are intricate and beautiful decorations that symbolize good luck, longevity, and prosperity. They make wonderful Chinese New Year gifts for anyone who appreciates handcrafted items or traditional decorations. These beautiful knots can be hung on walls, doors, or even used as car ornaments.

• Personalized Wall Art

Looking for best gifts for Chinese New Year that enhance home decor? Wall art featuring auspicious symbols or serene landscapes can bring positive energy into the home. Personal House offers customizable wall art in a variety of sizes and frames, and you can even add a personal message. 

Wall Art as Chinese New Year Gift Idea

Shop Now

• Flowers

Flowers are always a welcome gift, and they are especially appropriate for the Lunar New Year, as they symbolize new beginnings and bring vibrant energy into the home. Orchids, peach blossoms, and plum blossoms are particularly popular during Chinese New Year, making them a thoughtful and beautiful gift for friends, family, or anyone you want to show appreciation to.

Chinese New Year Gifts for Family and Friends

Lunar New Year is a time to strengthen bonds and express your care for loved ones. These Chinese New Year gift ideas will help you do just that, offering thoughtful and meaningful ways to celebrate your relationships.

• Personalized Family Canvas

A custom canvas print featuring a family photo is a heartwarming personalized family gift that celebrates togetherness. Personal House offers a variety of sizes and framing options, making it easy to create a statement piece for any home. It's a gift that will be treasured for years to come, making it a perfect present for parents, grandparents, or close family friends.

Family Canvas Prints as Chinese New Year Gifts

Shop Now

• Custom Photo Album

This is a wonderful Chinese New Year gift idea for close friends, siblings, or significant others. It's a tangible reminder of your shared experiences and a thoughtful way to show how much you care.

• "Family Reunion" Personalized Throw Blanket 

A cozy blanket personalized with a family name or a special message brings warmth and comfort, making it a perfect gift for families who enjoy spending time together, especially during the colder months. This is a unique Chinese New Year gift that shows you care. The personalization options add a sentimental touch, making it a perfect gift for cozy nights in with loved ones.

"Family Reunion" Personalized Throw Blanket 

•  Tea Set with a Selection of Teas

Sharing a pot of tea is a common tradition during Lunar New Year gatherings. Gifting a beautiful tea set with a selection of high-quality teas is a thoughtful way to encourage moments of connection and relaxation. This is a wonderful Chinese New Year gift for families or friends who appreciate the art of tea and aligns with Chinese New Year gift traditions.

• Matching Zodiac Animal Plush Toys

This is a fun and playful Chinese New Year gift idea for families with children or for close friends. Choose plush toys that represent the recipient's zodiac animal or the zodiac animal of the current Lunar New Year. It's a lighthearted way to celebrate the occasion and bring smiles to everyone's faces.

Matching Zodiac Animal Plush Toys

• Shared Experiences

Creating new memories together is a priceless gift, especially during Lunar New Year. Consider gifting tickets to a cultural event, a festive meal at a Chinese restaurant, or a fun day trip. This is a wonderful way to celebrate Lunar New Year with anyone you enjoy spending time with!

• Gift Cards

If you're unsure about someone's preferences, gift cards offer flexibility and allow the recipient to choose something they truly want. Choose gift cards to stores or restaurants they frequent for a practical and appreciated gift for Chinese New Year.

Lunar New Year Gifts to Avoid

While Lunar New Year is a time for celebration and generosity, there are a few Chinese New Year gift faux pas to avoid. Certain items carry negative connotations in Chinese culture. Being mindful of these cultural sensitivities ensures your gifts are well-received. Steer clear of:

• Sharp objects: (knives, scissors) These symbolize severing relationships.

• Clocks: Giving a clock sounds like "送終" (sòngzhōng) in Chinese, which is associated with attending a funeral.

• Shoes: The word for "shoes" sounds similar to the word for "evil" in Cantonese.

• Items in sets of four: The number four is considered unlucky because it sounds similar to the word for "death."

>>> See More:

• Top 30 Happy New Year Gift Ideas for Family, Friends, and Everyone on Your List

• Top 30 Unique & Practical New Year Gift Ideas for Friends

Remember, it's important to be mindful of Chinese New Year gift traditions and cultural sensitivities when choosing gifts. When in doubt, it's always a safe bet to opt for something positive and auspicious!