Chinese New Year Hampers 2020 under HK$888

When it comes to giving presents, Chinese New Year is not short of taboos and gifting etiquettes. Since the focus of this festival is on spending time with your nearest and dearest, as well as moving forward into a new beginning surrounded by good fortune, health and wealth, celebrators try hard to avoid things associated with bringing bad luck to the household.

To help with the gifting process, we at Gift Hampers Hong Kong have gathered a list of items you are never to give someone on Chinese New Year, even if you are on a budget or are completely out of ideas – after all, nothing is worse than irritating or offending someone on the very first page of a brand new chapter.

How to gift, what to gift and what not to gift

When giving or receiving a gift, it is polite and respectful to use two hands. The gift should be wrapped in red decorative paper as it is the colour of fortune and prosperity. You don’t need to splash out on anything expensive; cheap presents that look expensive or cheap but thoughtful gifts are more than enough for this joyful festival. However, that doesn’t mean you can simply grab anything from the house or the ten-dollar store and run with it – some items should be blacklisted from your Chinese New Year gift list completely.

1. Sharp objects like knives, scissors, swords or any cutting utensil should be avoided altogether. These tools highly suggest that you are breaking off the relationship with the receiver, which is not the friendliest message to give!
2. A homophone for the Chinese word for ‘shoes’ is ‘evil’, which is a bad omen to be inviting during such a joyful occasion. Therefore, the gift of shoes should also be avoided.
3. Be wary of the right colours to give during this auspicious period. White hats symbolise death while green hats are widely known to ridicule a man whose wife had been unfaithful. For extra caution, pick another item of clothing to give instead.
4. A simple gift like a clock may seem harmless, but do you know that in Chinese, the pronunciation of the word ‘clock’ is very similar to the word ‘end’? This is a big taboo because the gifting of a clock usually implies the gift of death, which is a terrible gift for Chinese New Year.
5. Another symbol for death is the chrysanthemum, particularly yellow and white ones which are closely associated with funerals or in times of mourning. Other brightly coloured flowers are welcomed.
6. An ordinary household item like an umbrella can be a great shield for rainy days and can protect you from harmful rays. But like many other superstitions, the word for ‘umbrella’ is a homophone for the word ‘split’, a gift of separation, especially between friends and lovers.
7. The word ‘pear’ is a homophone for ‘separation’, which isn’t a very positive message to send in the spirit of the occasion. However, other fruits are generally very well received as common Chinese New Year gifts.

What better way to find a suitable gift than to browse our wide selection of online gifts, all under $888? Fruit and gourmet hampers make the perfect, healthy Chinese New Year gifts, conveniently delivered to your door for free. Here are a few of our top picks:

1. HEALTHY LIFE: Wish someone good health with this hamper packed with coconut bites, dates, truffles and other lip-smacking snacks. Price: HK$888.00

2. MINI FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS: Enjoy a wonderful selection of luxury food like egg rolls, abalone and longan in the wicker basket. Price: HK$788.00

3. DELIGHTFUL CNY FRUIT HAMPER: Bursting with fresh mandarin oranges, this is truly a gift of good fortune. Price: HK$488.00 – $588.00