Red packets are every child's delight at Chinese New Year! The tradition
of giving gifts in Chinese culture is not the same as practised in
European or "western" culture. By and large the giving of
gifts is restricted to giving money. Small gifts are given when visiting
a home of a friend, and increasingly for weddings, but traditionally
money is given.
 The
way in which this is done in the West would be by putting money
in a card, or indeed, giving a gift voucher. The Chinese give money
inside red envelopes which are decorated with lucky symbols or Chinese
characters. These are known as 'Lai Si' or 'Hung Bao'.
At
Chinese New Year these are given by married couples to children/unmarried
people. The red is used as the most auspicious colour, while the
decoration may have a blessing or good wish. The symbolic giving
of the money represents a wish for fortune and wealth in the coming
year. The money may also be used to pay off debt, thus allowing
a financial clean slate in the new year.
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