Give red envelopes. Red to symbolize good luck and to ward off evil spirits, envelopes are traditionally exchanged on the Chinese New Year and other holidays, with money usually tucked inside. For the new year, specifically, married couples typically give red envelopes to children and single folks. Chinese New Year Crafts for Kids. January 29, 2025 will herald the start of the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Below you will find 13 printable patterns for lucky red envelopes and bookmarks that you can use to celebrate this holiday. Method – How to make Chinese New Year Red Envelopes Step by Step. Chinese New Year is coming up fast! To help you out, We’ve prepared a set of simple steps for you to follow that will enable you to make red envelopes for Chinese New Year. Using the ruler, have your child measure a 6” x 6” square on the red construction paper. How To Make Red Envelopes for Chinese New Year / DIY Lucky Money EnvelopeRed envelopes are an important gift not only for Tet, but also can be used to expres 8 Decorate the envelope. Decorate the back of the envelope with Chinese characters for happiness, luck, or the zodiac animal of the year. Kids can use gold or black crayon or markers to write. Older kids can use undiluted gold acrylic paint, tempera, glitter glue, or a combination of white glue and gold glitter. Decorate your red envelopes any way you want and celebrate a happy and prosperous new year to come. Supplies to Make Red Envelopes. Red construction paper; Scissors; Envelope template (click here to print) Glue stick; Gold pen or stickers for decoration; Money; Instructions. Step 1: Cut out the envelope template and place it on top of the red Make a Lucky Red Envelope for Chinese New Year. Here you can find out how to make your own lucky red envelope or Hong Bao associated with Chinese New Year. You can find out more about the tradition of giving Hong Bao on our Family Celebrations page. You will need: red A4 paper; scissors; glue stick; metallic gold pen; What you do: As the Chinese New Year approaches, the exchange of Hong Bao remains a cherished tradition, bridging generations and fostering a sense of unity. Whether shared in person or virtually, these red envelopes continue to carry the spirit of prosperity and the hope for a joyful and auspicious year ahead. You can use the free template below to make this no glue envelope. A little history about the red envelope traditions. A red envelope, red packet or red pocket is a monetary gift given during holidays or for special occasions. Even though the red envelope was popularized by Chinese traditions, other cultures also share similar traditional customs. Giving a red envelope full of crumbled or old bills is generally considered to be bad luck! The polite way to accept a red envelope is with both hands. Accepting the envelope with one hand is also considered bad luck. More Ideas for the Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a festive holiday that people celebrate around the world. Chinese New Year Red Envelopes. Lunar New Year red envelopes, also known as 'hongbao' or 'laisee' are a tradition that symbolises the giving of good luck, prosperity, and blessings for the coming year. Typically filled with money, these vibrant red packets are shared among family members, friends, and co-workers to spread joy and good fortune. Unsurprising of a story so old, alternative origins exist, including one version of the legend that includes sealing money in red paper. But the earliest examples of mass-produced envelopes today synonymous with Chinese New Year appear to be from 1961, produced by Wells Fargo. Other Occasions for Red Envelopes. Chinese New Year is a red envelope season. But red envelopes are not limited to Chinese New Year. It is common to give a red envelope during many other occasions, such as a wedding, graduation, the birth of a baby, or a senior person's birthday, and even funerals. This free printable red envelope craft is perfect for Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year celebrations. Pick from two different pre-colored red envelopes to print and two different red envelope coloring crafts. [See more: Chinese New Year: 3 auspicious dishes to welcome the Year of the Dragon] 6. There’s a 15-day window for giving. The time for handing out red envelopes is from the first to the fifteenth day of each Lunar New Year, and because it’s the lunar calendar, the calendar dates will vary from year to year. Now, you can find digital versions of the Lunar New Year red envelopes, where you transfer money online. But nothing is like the tradition of a cash envelope! Real money feels much more exciting to receive as a kid as it’s tangible and allows them to work on their math and money skills. 2025 Chinese Snake Year Red Envelopes Celebrate the 2025 Chinese Snake Year with these vibrant red envelopes! Featuring elegant snake-themed designs, they’re perfect for gifting during Lunar New Year, weddings, or special occasions. Lucky Red. The red paper is actually more important than the lucky money inside! The color red symbolizes happiness and good luck. The tradition of red envelopes is one of the oldest stories of Chinese New Year, where the demon Sui haunted sleeping children. At Chinese New Year it is traditional for parents and elders to give gifts of "lucky money" to children and unmarried adults. The money, which can vary from a small, new coin to a substantial sum, is always presented in a red envelope. It's easy to make a red envelope - why not have a go with the children? You will need: Red paper Gold paint Chinese New Year red envelopes, or hongbao, are traditional gifts filled with money given during the Lunar New Year. We have prepared 10 free printable designs for you to download and use, including classic, modern, and whimsical styles featuring dragons, snakes, and festive symbols. The Tradition of Chinese New Year Red Envelopes
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