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No more stress over red envelopes during Chinese New Year!

Published: 2026-09-25 👁 101 views
Last updated 2026-09-25 — As the holiday season approaches, while people joyfully enjoy the Spring Festival break, red envelopes are a common headache for many. Who to give them to and how much to put in can be tricky. Here are some handy tips for giving red envelopes that let you stay polite without breaking the bank...

By / Scenic Spots Home compiled report
 
As the holiday season approaches, while people joyfully enjoy the Spring Festival break, red envelopes are a common headache for many. Who to give them to and how much to put in can be tricky. Here are some handy tips for giving red envelopes that let you stay polite without breaking the bank, so both givers and receivers can have a happy New Year.

Red envelopes are usually given to elders and children after the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. (Photo / BURST)

The most important thing about giving a red envelope is to pick an auspicious number — it must be even. In Chinese culture, even numbers represent luck and good fortune, and 6 and 8 are especially great numbers. If you want your envelope to feel more generous, you can use all hundred-dollar bills, which are red, to further boost the festive mood.

Giving red envelopes is a traditional Chinese custom during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing wishes for good fortune in the coming year. (Photo / BURST)

In terms of the total amount, it's not just about whether the number is divisible by two. Non-zero-ending numbers must also be even. So amounts like 3000 are usually considered odd. Based on this principle, common red envelope amounts include: 200, 600, 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2200, 2600, 3600, 6000, 6600, etc. You can choose based on these guidelines and the recipient.

Red envelopes are also known as "lucky money for the New Year," symbolizing elders' blessings for the younger generation to have a peaceful year. (Photo / Taipei City -)

The amount you give in a red envelope usually depends on who the recipient is. Here are some reference figures:
Grandparents: 3600, 6000, 6600 or more
Parents, in-laws: 3600, 6000, 6600 or more
Your own children: 2000, 2200, 3600
Friends’ and relatives’ children: 800, 1200, 1600
Colleagues’ and neighbors’ children: 200, 600

The amount of the red envelope can also be determined by your own financial ability. (Photo / Taiwan Water Corporation)

It’s also recommended that siblings pool money to give a joint gift to elders, or calculate based on salary ratios. But remember, the most important part of giving a red envelope or gift is the thought behind it. Offering your sincerest wishes is the true meaning of giving a red envelope.

 

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》https://www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=22963

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