In Chinese tradition, the first day of the year coincides with the new moon. This means the Chinese New Year will be celebrated anytime from January 21 to February 20, which gives you enough time to look for the perfect gift for your friends.
The Chinese New year is also referred to as the Spring Festival since it marks the end of the cold season. In North Korea, Vietnam and some other places, the Chinese New Year is known as the Lunar New Year because of the lunar calendar. Whatever it is called and whenever it is held, one thing is for sure. It is one of the most anticipated events each year. In fact, even people who are not from China or the other countries mentioned have taken to observing the holiday, as well. This is why you’ll see lots of people giving gifts during Chinese New Year.
If you are invited by friends who celebrate the event, it’s customary to bring gifts. Below are some Chinese New Year gift ideas to help you out.
Chinese New Year Gift Ideas for Prepper Friends
It’s really not too difficult to find a gift for your friends who are into prepping. If you look at the most popular gifts given during this day, you’ll realize that some of them could very well be found in a prepper pantry or among the stuff they have stored in their shelters.
Alcohol
Bring alcohol when you are invited to a Chinese New Year celebration. Most of these celebrations include a feast or at least huge meal. Your bottle of wine or any other alcohol would be a great addition to your meal. Incidentally, preppers advise other people to stock up on alcohol. When SHTF, you can use your stash for bartering. Alcohol also has uses other than getting you drunk.
Tobacco
Smoking is bad for the health. Now that we’ve got that out, you can consider bringing tobacco to the celebration if your friend is a smoker. Like alcohol, cigarette and cigars will fetch a high value during the apocalypse. You can barter them for some basic needs such as food, water and ammunition. Take not that it is considered impolite to just give one single pack of cigarettes. Give one or two cartons instead.
Tea
Tea is a common fixture in most prepper pantries because of its many uses, particularly in terms of survival. Tea bags can be used to start a fire while drinking tea will be useful in calming your nerves, treating allergies, relieving pain, and strengthening your immune system.
You can also gift your hosts with a brand new tea set or an infuser.
Chinese New Year Gift Ideas for Children
Like Christmas, children take center stage during Chinese New Year. If your host family have young children, make sure you bring gifts for them, as well.
Sweets
Sweets will come in handy during the apocalypse as it lasts for a long time. It provides a boost of energy, which you may need if you’re trying to run away from zombies. Candies can also be used for trade and provides children with a little comfort during a SHTF scenario.
Hong Bao
If you’ve been to an Asian country or hang out with Asians growing up (assuming you’re not actually Asian), you’re probably familiar with those small red envelope. It’s customary for the Chinese to give out money to the younger ones. This red envelope doesn’t really do anything for your prepping plans unless you use the money the kids receive to purchase supplies or gear for their bug out bags.
Chinese Gift Ideas for Seniors
If the family you’re spending Chinese New Year with have some pretty old members, its tradition to bring gifts for them, as well. Popular gift ideas for the elderly include hats, gloves and scarves. Some prefer to give massagers since it is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine.
The said gift ideas would prove pretty handy when it gets too cold or during emergency situations in which the family has to evacuate and stay in tents.
Other Chinese New Year Gift Ideas
Some of the popular gifts given out during Chinese New Year may not fit the bill when it comes to prepping. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t bring them to celebration you’re invited to.
Flowers and Fruits
Among the Chinese New Year gift ideas in this list, flowers and fruit baskets are perhaps the simplest yet very much appreciated. Apple and oranges are traditionally the fruits given out on Chinese New Year.
If you have any suggestions or other Chinese New Year gift ideas, please type them in the comment section below. Check out The Gentleman Pirate for more lists similar to this one.
Just a disclaimer – We have partnered with these companies because we use their products and/or proudly trust and endorse them – so we do receive a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for services.
Often, we are able to negotiate special discounts and/or bonuses, which we will pass on to you via our links. We often get short notice on sale items available for 24-48 hours as we will pass these savings onto you.
