Top 30 Thoughtful Chinese New Year Gifts For A Festive 2025

Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, celebrates fresh beginnings, traditions, and togetherness. It’s the perfect occasion to express respect and gratitude with thoughtful presents. From traditional items to gourmet food and festive drinks, Personal Chic offers 30 best Chinese New Year gifts​ for family, friends, or colleagues, ensuring your celebrations are filled with joy and prosperity.

Traditional Chinese New Year Presents

Traditional Chinese New Year gifts​ significantly convey wishes for good fortune, health, and prosperity. Here are a few classic Lunar New Year gifts for gifting:

• Red Envelopes (Hongbao)

Giving lucky money envelopes (hongbao) is one of the most popular and long-standing Chinese New Year gift traditions. A symbol of good luck and prosperity, these red envelopes are typically filled with money and given to children or unmarried individuals. Always use crisp, new banknotes and avoid giving odd amounts to upholding good fortune. For a festive touch, you should choose designs featuring gold calligraphy or zodiac animals specific to the year, like the snake for 2025.

Red Envelope (Hongbao) Chinese New Year Gifts​

• Silk Scarves or Fabrics

These Chinese New Year gifts​ are often adorned with floral patterns or Chinese symbols that signify happiness and wealth. You can pick vibrant colours like red or gold for added festive spirit. 

• Qing-Era Inspired Artworks

Know about Qing-era art? Originating from the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), this period is renowned for its refinement and elegance, especially in imperial landscapes and traditional Chinese calligraphy. Choosing Qing-era-inspired artwork as gifts for Chinese New Year not only celebrates China’s rich history but also offers a piece of cultural significance. These artworks, often framed prints or scrolls, are perfect for adding a historical touch to your beloved individual home.

• Chinese Calligraphy Sets

Perfect for art enthusiasts or anyone wanting to connect with tradition, a calligraphy set is one of the thoughtful Chinese New Year presents. Sets typically include brushes, ink sticks, inkstones, and rice paper. You need to look for premium kits with decorative packaging featuring traditional motifs.

Chinese Calligraphy Sets Chinese New Year Presents

• Feng Shui Wind Chimes

A gift that harmonises energy, Feng Shui wind chimes are ideal for bringing balance and positive vibes into any space. You can opt for designs made from bamboo or metal, each representing different elements in Feng Shui. These gifts for Lunar New Year are perfect for home decor and can be found in Feng Shui stores, home improvement shops, or online marketplaces.

• Miniature Fu Dogs or Pi Xiu Statues

Miniature Fu Dogs or Pi Xiu statues are meaningful Chinese New Year gifts, representing protection and wealth. Fu Dogs, traditionally placed at doorways, ward off evil spirits, while Pi Xiu, a mythical creature, attracts prosperity and safeguards fortunes. These statues, made of jade, bronze, or resin, are perfect for home or office décor. Opt for a pair for balance and symmetry, embodying harmony and auspicious energy.

• Lucky Coins Or Charms

Lucky coins or charms are classic Chinese New Year gifts​, symbolising wealth, protection, and good fortune. Popular choices include coins tied with red string or charms featuring zodiac animals, like the Year of the Snake for 2025, or a three-leaf clover for extra luck.

Lucky Coin Lunar New Year Gifts

• Jade Jewellery

Jade jewellery is a timeless gift for Chinese New Year, symbolising purity, protection, and longevity in Chinese culture. Whether it’s a pendant, bracelet, or ring, jade pieces are cherished for their elegance and deep cultural significance. To enhance their festive appeal, choose designs featuring motifs like dragons or lotus flowers. 

Chinese New Year Gifts for Family & Friends

Lunar New Year is the perfect opportunity to deepen connections and show your love for those close to you. These Chinese New Year gift ideas provide thoughtful and meaningful ways to honour and celebrate your relationships.

• Personalised Family Canvas

An article from The Conversation website (2024) highlights that personalised gifts foster deeper emotional connections and are often more cherished than generic ones. 

That’s why a personalised family canvas print, featuring a cherished photo, makes a perfect gift. It celebrates togetherness and creates lasting memories, making it an ideal present for parents, grandparents, or close family friends.

Lunar New Year Presents - Personalised Family Tree Canvas

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• Customised Snake Ornaments

For those who are unsure of what to give for Chinese New Year, then giving personalised ornaments would be a great idea. Every year, there is an animal from the Chinese zodiac, and this year is the Year of the Snake. 

• Mandarin Orange Tree

A mandarin orange is round which is looked upon as auspicious and the colour gold, to which the skin of the orange resembles is also considered lucky as the pronunciation of the Chinese word for orange is closer to that of gold in certain dialects. 

Arising from the fact that the bearers of this tree’s fruits are called Mandarin oranges, their vibrant color is a symbol of good luck and prosperity which makes the tree a perfect Lunar New Year gift which can be kept within the house as a sign of hope for a prosperous new year.

Mandarin Orange Tree Gifts For Lunar New Year 

• Chinese Knot Decorations

Chinese knot decorations are a beautiful and intricate way to bring luck and harmony into the home. Often made from colourful threads, these Chinese New Year gifts​ can be hung on doors or windows to ward off negative energy. Available in gift shops, online retailers, or even traditional Chinese markets, these ornaments can be personalised for an extra special touch.

• Chinese Porcelain Plates

Known for their exquisite craftsmanship, Chinese porcelain plates make elegant Lunar New Year presents that represent grace and refinement. Often adorned with traditional designs like flowers, birds, or the Chinese zodiac, these plates can be displayed as art or used during festive meals. 

• Custom Doormats

Personalised doormats are warm and practical Chinese New Year gifts​ that welcome guests with a personal touch. You can choose from a variety of designs, adding names, messages, or festive symbols like the Chinese character for “Prosperity” (繁荣).

Custom Doormat Gifts For Lunar New Year

Food Gifts For Chinese New Year Gifts

Food is central in New Year celebrations, with each region offering unique dishes and treats. If you are not exactly sure which Chinese New Year gifts​ to buy, here are a few tasty Chinese New Year food ideas for you to enjoy during this time.

• Nian Gao (Sticky Rice Cake)

Known for its chewy texture, this traditional dish is a symbol of growth and progress. Its name, “nian,” sounds like “year,” making it a fitting gift to usher in a prosperous new year. 

To make it extra delicious, use high-quality glutinous rice flour and steam the cake for a soft, smooth finish. You can also add red beans or lotus seeds for a sweet touch. Be sure to avoid overly sweet versions, as this can be seen as bad luck in some regions.

• Dumplings

Filling a pouch with rice dumplings is a traditional way of welcoming Chinese New Year since the food item bears a resemblance to the gold bars of the ancients. These delicious bites have been stuffed with minced meat and vegetables in the past time and are also suitable for group consumption.

Dumpling Lunar New Year Presents

• Spring Rolls

A staple during Chinese New Year celebrations, spring rolls are crispy and tasty Lunar New Year presents. Filled with vegetables, meat, or seafood, they symbolise wealth and a fresh start. You should serve them with a dipping sauce for a delightful treat.

• Premium Dried Fruit And Nut Gift Sets

Premium dried fruit and nut gift sets are luxurious and thoughtful Chinese New Year gifts​. Featuring a mix of sweet dried fruits like dates and lychees, and roasted nuts such as almonds and pistachios, these gifts are not only delicious but also a symbol of abundance and health.

• Chinese New Year Snack Boxes

Looking for a variety-packed gift? Chinese New Year Snack Boxes are an excellent choice. Filled with an assortment of treats like dried fruits, nuts, and sweets, they offer something for everyone. These vibrant boxes often include symbolic foods that bring good fortune. 

Snack Boxes Gifts For Chinese New Year

• Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding (Ba Bao Fan)

Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding, or Ba Bao Fan, is a classic Chinese New Year dessert symbolising unity, prosperity, and good fortune. This indulgent pudding is made from glutinous rice and enriched with eight “treasures” such as red dates, lotus seeds, candied fruits, and nuts, each carrying auspicious meanings. The vibrant arrangement of toppings adds to its festive appeal, making it a beautiful and meaningful gift.

• Candied Fruits

Candied fruits are a symbolic Chinese New Year gift often included in the “Tray of Togetherness.” Popular options like candied lotus seeds (for fertility), kumquats (for wealth), and winter melon (for health) are favourites. You should opt for well-packaged assortments for a festive and meaningful touch.

• Chinese New Year Fruit Basket

A fruit basket filled with bright and fresh fruits is a classic Chinese New Year gift. Typically, mandarins or oranges are included, as they symbolise wealth and good luck. You should choose a selection of colourful fruits to represent prosperity and health. 

Fruit Basket Lunar New Year Gifts

Drink Gifts For Chinese New Year

No celebration is complete without the right drinks! What are the most popular beverages enjoyed during the Lunar New Year? Below, we’ll introduce some drink Lunar New Year gifts that will perfectly complement your festivities and enhance the celebration.

• Chinese Tea Gift Set

Another good gift for the Chinese is a tea set accompanied by a range of the best Chinese teas, Oolong, Pu-erh or Jasmine. Often mentioned for their health benefits and nice taste, they are perfect for family meals or giving to friends.

Chinese Tea Gift Set Gifts For Chinese New Year

• Sparkling Cider

A refreshing and non-alcoholic option, sparkling cider is a popular choice for Chinese New Year gatherings. Its golden hue symbolises prosperity and good fortune, making it an ideal drink for toasts and celebrations. Choose bottles with festive packaging to add a touch of elegance to your gift.

• Tian Mian Jiang (Sweet Soy Sauce)

Not exactly a drink, but often served in Chinese New Year feasts, Tian Mian Jiang (sweet soy sauce) adds a rich and slightly sweet flavour to various dishes. Great Chinese New Year gifts​ for those who enjoy cooking, these versatile ingredients can enhance the taste of dumplings, noodles, or stir-fries.

• Chinese Rice Wine (Shaoxing Wine)

Shaoxing wine, a traditional Chinese rice wine, is a popular drink for Lunar New Year celebrations. With its rich and slightly sweet flavour, it is often used in cooking or enjoyed during toasts to celebrate new beginnings.

Chinese Rice Wine Chinese New Year gifts​

• Sichuan Peppercorn Drink

For a unique beverage experience, try the Sichuan peppercorn drink, which combines the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns with a subtle sweetness. This drink is refreshing and adds an exciting twist to your Lunar New Year celebrations.

It pairs wonderfully with savoury dishes like dumplings or spring rolls.

• Lychee Liqueur

Lychee liqueur's floral aroma and fruity taste make it a delightful accompaniment to desserts or as a base for cocktails. Renowned brands like SOHO Lychee Liqueur or Kwong Fei Lychee Liqueur are excellent choices, offering premium quality and authentic flavours to elevate the celebratory experience.

• Mulled Wine (Chinese Style)

What could be more festive than a warm, aromatic drink for the new year? Mulled wine with a Chinese twist, infused with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves, makes a perfect drink for cold winter nights. You can add a hint of Shaoxing wine for an authentic Chinese touch. 

Mulled Wine Gifts For Lunar New Year

Chinese New Year Gifts​​ Taboos

While gift-giving is a joyful tradition, it's important to avoid certain missteps. There are specific Chinese New Year gift taboos to be aware of, and understanding these cultural sensitivities ensures that your presents will be appreciated and enjoyed without offending.

• Sharp Objects (Knives, Scissors): Sharp objects like knives or scissors are traditionally avoided as gifts, as they are seen as symbols of severing relationships, which could bring discord or bad luck to the giver and recipient.
• Clocks: Clocks are thought to be unlucky because the sound of the Chinese character 钟  is similar to that of 终 which means end or death. This makes clocks an improper gift, not suitable for giving during corporate events such as Chinese New Year.

Avoid Clocks As Chinese New Year Presents

• Shoes:  Shoes (鞋, xié) should be avoided due to their similarity in pronunciation to the word "evil" (邪, xié) in Cantonese. This association is believed to invite negativity, making shoes an unfortunate choice for a gift.
• White and Black Items: These colours of gifts for Lunar New Year are linked to mourning and funerals, making them unsuitable for festive occasions like Chinese New Year.
• Candles: Candles are associated with funerals and death, making them inappropriate as gifts during Chinese New Year celebrations.

Candles For Lunar New Year Gifts

• Odd-Numbered Items: Odd numbers are considered unlucky in Chinese culture, as they symbolise imbalance and imperfection.

>>> See more: Top 30+ New Year Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List <<<

As you choose the perfect Chinese New Year gifts​, remember to embrace traditions and cultural customs. Thoughtful, meaningful presents will bring joy and prosperity to your celebrations, ensuring a festive and harmonious start to the year ahead. Happy Chinese New Year!