Gift Exchange and Ang Pau(s)

It is the tradition during the Lunar New Year that we do not go empty handed when visiting homes that celebrate the new year. So what goes into the goody bag are mandarin oranges which signify prosperity, peanuts for longevity, cookies and snacks.

Your host will give you a goody bag in return with more or less the same food stuff but mandarin oranges are mandatory.

Giving out ang paus (red packets containing money) to the children and the unmarried is the norm. The amount of money is up to your discretion but the closer the relationship, the bigger the sum.
However, the children will have to greet “Gong Xi Fa Cai” before they will be given the ang pau.

Most of the celebrants will wear red as it denotes prosperity.

Red lanterns and red flowers especially peonies abound.