The custom of Spring Festival red packet
Giving Hongbao (red packets or red envelopes) during the Chinese New Year is another tradition. A red packet is simply a red envelope with gift money in it, which symbolizes luck and wealth.
Red is the lucky color and will bring good luck to the person receiving the present. Red packets are symbolically handed out to younger generations by their parents, grandparents, relatives, close neighbors and friends, and usually the lineal family gives Hongbao to the children on New Year's Eve. Money given in this way may not be refused and the pretty envelopes make the present seem more amiability and sincere.
The money is also called ya sui qian, meaning "money for suppressing age", which is supposed to stop children from getting older. This comes from the belief that everyone becomes one year older on New Year's Day.
Starting from the second day, people begin going out to visit friends and relatives, taking with them gifts and Hongbao for the children.
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春节习俗发红包
过春节的另一个传统就是要给红包，就是在一个红色的小红包里装上钱，寓意为幸运和财富。红色是幸运色，能给收到红包的人带来好运。红包一般是父母给儿女，爷爷奶奶给孙儿孙女，或者亲戚朋友给小孩子的，一般来说，都是除夕夜给的。这笔钱也称作是压岁钱，希望孩子们永远不要长大，因为大家都觉得一年一岁催人老。大年初一串亲戚朋友，也要给孩子送礼物和红包。