Red envelopes containing money, known as Lai See in Hong Kong, are traditional gifts for Chinese New Year. We would be participating in this tradition during New Year, so it was important to understand the meaning of this gesture in accordance with Chinese beliefs. We had already had some experience with Lai See because they are also the traditional gifts you give for special occasions like weddings or to celebrate the birth of a baby. Joe had been given a couple of different types of wedding invitations and we had learned that typically you might be given an announcement of marriage that comes with a gift certificate for a cake and then you return this gesture with Lai See for the bride and groom to put toward their wedding. We've already gotten two cakes to enjoy out of this tradition! We also received an invitation to actually attend a Chinese wedding and dinner. If you attend, you would typically give Lai See in an amount to cover the cost of your attendance at the celebration plus extra for the bride and groom. We were unable to attend this wedding, though I really hope we will have another opportunity to experience a wedding in Hong Kong during our time here. Since we did not actually attend, then we send Lai See as our gift to the bride and groom. We had also learned that you would never give someone a white envelope because the color white is associated with death and would only be used for condolences and funerals. Oopsie! Thank heaven we have good people watching out for us that tell us these things so we don't offend some poor bride who thinks we hope for her demise! Now to figure out Lai See as it applies to Chinese New Year...
Lai See envelopes must be red or gold as this signifies good luck and prosperity. Both the giver and the recipient are believed to gain good luck from Lai See so it is not only the person receiving money that is benefiting. The amount of money given varies depending on the relationship and purpose but money should be given in a single, NEW note and not coins. If you are given an old, used note it is like saying you were not really thinking ahead or of the person, they were really just forgotten. Yikes! As I've matured I've tried to NOT take things so personally in life and not read into things so much but the Chinese really pay attention to details and can take things to heart. I can respect their traditions but its a little stressful to think everything you do has such meaning. Deep breath! LOL! Needless to say, when it was time to prepare our Lai See we went to the bank and got all beautiful new bills!
The basic rule of who receives Lai See is single friends and children and it is given from a senior to a junior. At work, a boss would give to his employees, and in our building it would be good for us as residents to give to our doorman and other service people. With all this knowledge in hand and after Joe consulted people at work, we ended up stuffing over 500 envelopes of varying denominations for Joe to give out to employees in his store as well as an additional 50 or so for people in the buildings of Bel-Air and to have on hand just in case we are approached with a "Gung Hay Fat Choy" and a look of anticipation. It's a lot and we will be better at budgeting for this for next year now that we have gone through it. Luckily many of the envelopes were notes of $10HKD which really only amounts to about $1.30USD but it adds up! The first 3 days of Chinese New Year were the main days in which we gave out our Lai See. The energy and excitement that goes along with it is very fun. If you are seen giving out Lai See at work or in the building you can plan on feeling very popular and attracting a crowd of well-wishers and it can go fast! Typically, if you see someone and they wish you "Gung Hay Fat Choy" and it is an appropriate recipient you would then hand them a Lai See envelope with both hands and they would then receive it with both hands and then clasp their hands together shaking them and bowing their head and wishing you more Happy New Year Wishes and gratitude. The envelopes are not opened in front of you and it would be rude to look inside and see what you got! Alex, as both a minor and a single person, ended up receiving over 11 of his own Lai See envelopes.
I am really happy to have been a part of the experience of giving and receiving Lai See for Chinese New Year 2012. Ultimately, the generosity and spirit of giving that it represents is a great way of setting the hopes for properity into motion and I will remember the enthusiasm and happy smiles of those holders of red envelopes!
Many of these customs are also present in other Asian cultures. Japanese almost always give money at weddings and funerals. Not gifts. Also, my dad had bought a house in San Diego once when we were moving from Okinawa to the states and the address was 444 Benhurst. My mom told him he had to sell it and buy another one.
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