Source: Gift Something blog post. Survey results for monetary gifts during Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. Values are in Hong Kong dollars.

Gift Something, a Hong Kong-based online retailer specializing in premium gifts, conducted a survey to understand the practice of giving red envelopes (known as angpow or red packets in Singapore, and lai see or red pockets in Hong Kong) during Chinese New Year. Traditionally, married couples give these envelopes to unmarried individuals during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year to bring luck. The practice extends to employers giving them to employees and individuals giving them to those who provide year-round services, like security guards.

The survey revealed that giving red envelopes remains a strong tradition across Asia, with 98% of participants engaging in the practice. They primarily give these envelopes to children, immediate family, and close friends. The remaining 2%, though not giving red envelopes due to personal customs, still uphold the festive tradition of exchanging well wishes and receiving red envelopes.

Interestingly, the survey also found that non-Chinese expatriates living in Asia also participate in giving red envelopes during Chinese New Year. However, individuals of Chinese heritage tend to give larger amounts in their red envelopes compared to those of non-Chinese heritage. Within the Chinese community, the younger generation receives almost five times more red envelopes from their elders.

Parents in Hong Kong typically give red envelopes containing HK$100 to HK$200 to their children and grandchildren. Close family and friends usually receive up to HK$50, while the most common amount given is HK$20. The majority of those surveyed prefer to give smaller denominations to relatives, family friends, young adults, and children. Although it’s customary for the older generation to give red envelopes to the younger generation, the survey found that 10% of respondents also give them to their elders.

The tradition has evolved to include giving red envelopes to security personnel in Hong Kong. Almost all respondents (92%) reported giving red envelopes to building security staff, with a quarter giving HK$100 or more to each security guard.

Despite having full-time jobs, nearly 25% of those surveyed have never received a red envelope from colleagues or supervisors during Chinese New Year. Of the remaining 75% who do receive them, the average amount received from superiors is HK$100.

Source: Westgate Facebook page, credited to mustsharenews.com. Values are in Singapore dollars. 

At the time of writing, HK$1 = S$0.182594, or S$1 = HK$5.4766.