How to

Selecting the Perfect Lunar New Year Gifts for Your Loved Ones

The art of gift-giving during Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a time-honored tradition. The thoughtful selection and elegant packaging of gifts are deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Vietnam. During this festive season, Vietnamese people take great pride in presenting their loved ones with meaningful presents that not only symbolize their well-wishes but also reflect a sense of refinement and care.

Administrator

10 July, 2024

Choosing the perfect Lunar New Year gifts for your loved ones and avoiding superficial presents that may not be appreciated is an art. This guide will help you select meaningful gifts for your loved ones based on their relationships and preferences.

1. The Significance of Lunar New Year Gift-Giving

Lunar New Year gifts are not just ordinary presents; they are tokens of affection and carriers of heartfelt messages from the giver. These messages and intentions can vary depending on the recipient and the giver’s purpose.

1.1. Significance of Lunar New Year Gifts for Grandparents

Gifts of health and well-being, presented with love and care to grandparents and parents during the Lunar New Year, are not mere obligations. They are expressions of gratitude and love. The most meaningful wish is for their longevity and abundant health.

1.2. Significance of Lunar New Year Gifts for Friends and Colleagues

The bond with friends and colleagues is essential for our growth in both our personal and professional lives. A thoughtful Lunar New Year gift strengthens this connection. It serves as a new year greeting and a way to exchange good wishes.

1.3. Significance of Lunar New Year Gifts for Teachers

Gifting teachers during the Lunar New Year holds a special significance. It is a way for former students to express their gratitude and bestow blessings upon their “second parents.” Whether you have achieved success or not, your teachers have played a pivotal role in shaping your present.

1.4. Significance of Lunar New Year Gifts for Clients/Customers

Businesses often present gifts to clients and customers, not just during the Lunar New Year but throughout the year. This act of gratitude and appreciation helps foster long-term relationships and encourages continued support.

2. How to Choose Meaningful Lunar New Year Gifts

Identify the Recipient:

Firstly, determine whether you are gifting to grandparents, parents, loved ones, or business associates. This will guide your gift selection. For instance, a luxuriously designed gift set may be more suitable for a business partner, while a set of familiar and traditional Vietnamese products like cashews, almonds, and jams would be perfect for grandparents and parents.

Define the Gift’s Style:

Lunar New Year gifts come in various designs and packaging these days. To make a lasting impression, consider the recipient’s preferences. Do they appreciate luxurious and modern gifts, or are they nostalgic for vintage-style presents? Alternatively, a simple gift box conveying your warmest wishes can also be meaningful.

2.1. Choosing Meaningful Gifts for Elders (Grandparents and Parents)

Elders often appreciate traditional gifts. Grandmothers and mothers may favor gifts like silk dresses or practical items such as jams, fruits, and spices…

Fathers and grandfathers, on the other hand, tend to enjoy fine liquor and aromatic tea. Unique tea sets, artistic chessboards, and ornamental plants like apricot, peach, and kumquat trees also make excellent choices. You can explore options here.

The gift’s value should range from 300,000 VND to 7,000,000 VND, depending on the giver’s income. If you plan to give money along with the gift, a present worth around 300,000 VND is considered appropriate.

2.2. Choosing Meaningful Gifts for Your Partner

For your partner, consider unique Lunar New Year gifts such as cosmetics and clothing (for her) or a wallet and a shirt (for him). If you’re gifting to your partner’s family, traditional gift sets and fruit baskets remain the top choice.

When gifting to your partner’s family, consider investing between 400,000 VND and 700,000 VND. This price range offers a generous and abundant gift set. Instead of including money in the gift, you can give a small amount of lucky money to your partner’s parents or grandparents when visiting them at the beginning of the year. Alternatively, you can subtly impress them by gifting your partner something they will appreciate.

2.3. Choosing Meaningful Gifts for Business Partners and Clients

When it comes to business partners and clients, it’s best to opt for unique and unusual Lunar New Year gifts. The more distinctive and beautiful the gift, the more likely it will be cherished and displayed rather than used.

The Vietnamese have a saying, “First comes words, second comes paintings, third comes ceramics, and fourth comes wood,” referring to the elegant pastime of collecting art. Consider gifting items like New Year’s couplets, feng shui paintings, folk paintings, artistic ceramics, or wooden carvings…

However, when gifting these items, ensure you understand their symbolic meanings. For instance, choose gifts that convey special messages like “Mã đáo thành công” (May success gallop in), “Vượng tài phát lộc” (Prosperity and wealth), or “Thuận lợi bình an” (Smooth sailing and peace).

A meaningful Lunar New Year gift box for business partners

If you’re unsure about traditional items, opt for popular modern New Year gift sets, such as premium tea and liquor boxes, imported cookies and candy, or nutritious nut baskets…

2.4. Choosing Gifts that Respect Cultural Differences

Each country and region in Vietnam has its unique culture and customs, which can inspire your gift choices. For instance, if you’re gifting to someone from Southern Vietnam, consider a fruit basket with “cầu, sung, dừa, đủ, xài” (a type of melon, jujube, coconut, persimmon, and custard apple). Conversely, for someone from Northern Vietnam, a basket with “hồng, quýt, chuối, bưởi, táo” (peach, tangerine, banana, pomelo, and apple) would be more appropriate.

When gifting to foreigners, opt for unique Vietnamese products while being mindful of their cultural taboos. For instance, Koreans avoid the number four and gifts like handkerchiefs, knives, or shoes…

2.5. Choosing Gifts that Consider Age Differences

Age can be a subtle yet powerful factor in gift selection, as people of similar ages often share interests and lifestyles. For instance:

– Middle-aged and elderly recipients may appreciate health-enhancing products or traditional gifts suitable for ancestral worship.

Bird’s nest, a luxurious health-enhancing gift

– Younger recipients might prefer unique accessories or sports equipment…

2.6. Choosing Gifts from Your Local Area

A meaningful yet affordable gift idea is to present something locally sourced, also known as “cây nhà lá vườn.” Instead of buying commercial products, you can gift homemade bánh chưng (traditional sticky rice cakes) to your extended family or harvest vegetables and eggs from your garden to share with your neighbors.

If you can’t make or grow your own gifts, opt for unique local specialties. Request the seller to package them attractively to enhance the gift’s value. For instance, consider a basket of local dried seafood or a selection of regional fruits…

A meaningful “cây nhà lá vườn” Lunar New Year gift

2.7. Choosing Gifts that Follow Trends

In today’s modern society, traditional foods like sticky rice cakes and fruit trays are sometimes replaced by international trends like boxes of wine, champagne, or Parisian pastries. Fashion-forward gifts for your wife or daughter can also make a stylish impression.

Lunar New Year gift trends may change over the years, but the warmth and thoughtfulness behind each gift remain constant. Knowing how to choose appropriate gifts for your loved ones adds even more significance to this tradition. Therefore, presenting beautifully curated Lunar New Year gift boxes has become an integral part of Vietnamese culture, a tradition worth preserving and cherishing.

Choosing meaningful gifts that follow trends

3. Important Considerations when Selecting Lunar New Year Gifts

To ensure your Lunar New Year gifts are well-received, keep the following in mind:

– For edible gifts, opt for products with the most recent manufacturing dates and a shelf life of at least six months. Choose reputable and trusted brands, especially during the bustling Lunar New Year season, when counterfeit and subpar products are more prevalent. Recipients may not consume perishable gifts immediately, so ensure they have a long shelf life.

– Before gifting, double-check your gift box to ensure all items are included and that you’ve added a greeting card with your best wishes.

– Pay attention to the gift’s branding and packaging. Transparent wrapping can sometimes detract from the gift’s aesthetics, revealing a cluttered arrangement. Alternatively, opt for colorful and eye-catching boxes to enhance the presentation.

Frequently asked questions

Consider the recipient’s personality, interests, and cultural significance. For those who appreciate tradition, opt for gifts with symbolic meanings, such as lucky plants, decorative items with zodiac signs, or traditional snacks. For a more modern approach, gift experiences like travel or spa vouchers, technology, or personalized items.

Traditional gifts for the Lunar New Year often carry symbolic meanings of luck, prosperity, and health. Popular options include lucky plants like orange osmanthus or kumquat trees, decorative items adorned with the recipient’s zodiac sign, and traditional New Year candies or snacks, such as mut fruit or watermelon seeds.

Add a personal touch by considering the recipient’s hobbies and interests. For instance, if they love cooking, a customized apron or a high-quality kitchen appliance would be ideal. For those who enjoy reading, consider a book on a topic they’re passionate about, along with a personalized bookmark. You could also gift an experience, such as concert tickets or a spa voucher.

Yes, it is considered unlucky to give shoes, green-colored items, sharp objects, or clocks as gifts during the Lunar New Year. These items are associated with negative connotations, such as inviting bad luck, signifying infidelity, or symbolizing the end of a relationship.

For older relatives, consider gifts that show your care for their health and comfort. Herbal health products, high-quality supplements, or comfortable clothing made from natural fabrics are thoughtful options. You could also gift them a relaxing experience, such as a spa treatment or a voucher for a traditional massage.