Red Envelope Price Guide: Super Practical Information for Lunar New Year

With the Lunar New Year Spring Festival holiday starting from New Year’s Eve, many friends have surely begun preparing red envelope money. Whether you are a veteran at giving red envelopes or a newcomer who has just moved from the red envelope-receiving class to the red envelope-giving class, do you know how the red envelope culture that has been passed down for thousands of years in the Chinese nation should be handled, and how much to give to be worthy of face while also minding your wallet?

Red envelopes also have a going rate! The going rate for Lunar New Year red envelopes, in fact, just like wedding gift money, depends on the relationship to determine the price.

If giving to your own grandparents, you can prepare amounts starting from NT$3,600, NT$6,000, or NT$6,600.

These amounts not only do not lose propriety, but also protect your wallet, and even take into account the underlying thought that most elders would not want to take so much money from their own grandchildren.

The biggest drain, where even if it hurts your wallet you still have to save face, is of course the red envelope prepared for your biological parents and parents-in-law. Generally speaking, the recommended going rate is at least NT$6,000, NT$6,600, or even NT$10,000 and up, and the more the better!

If preparing to give to your own juniors, such as the children of relatives and friends, you can give NT$600 or NT$1,000; for the children of neighbors and colleagues, you can prepare several red envelopes containing NT$200 or NT$600 and hand them out as the situation arises.

For red envelopes prepared for your own children, it is recommended to decide the amount based on the child’s age. NT$1,000, NT$1,200, NT$1,600, NT$2,000, and NT$3,000 are all common amounts in ordinary families.

The red envelope going rates introduced today are basically the general consensus in current Taiwanese society, and are affected by the overall economic situation, taboo culture, and even the denominations of banknotes.

These amounts are actually just for reference. If your financial ability permits, there is no problem adding to the red envelope amount. If your financial situation is not so ample, giving some small gifts along with warm greetings, or adjusting the red envelope amount (the number should still carry an auspicious feel), is also fine. The key lies in the expression of sincerity.

In addition, some friends may ask why the above mentions NT$1,000 and NT$3,000 — aren’t those odd numbers?

In fact, the so-called odd number (usually used for white envelopes) refers to the hundreds digit, for example, amounts like 1100, 2100, and 3100 are what are unsuitable for the festive New Year season.

On this point, the author believes it is a customary convention formed by the interplay of banknote denominations and cultural customs. Otherwise, the 4 in 3000 is even more unlucky, and then when you reach 5 you have to skip it, so you can only give 2000, and then 6000? I think that would hurt many people’s wallets (laughs).

Mysterious voice: Those eternal mysteries where children all over the world receive red envelopes, only to have their parents take them to open an account and deposit the money, never to be seen again, are outside the scope of this article.

Further Reading

1. 2015 Taiwan Consecutive Holidays (National Holidays) Schedule
2. 2016 Taiwan Consecutive Holiday Calendar (Lunar New Year Spring Festival, Qingming, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, and National Day)
3. 2017 (ROC 106) Regulations on Exchanging New Banknotes Before Lunar New Year and Designated Banks (Post Offices) Information.
4. 2017 (ROC 106) Taiwan Consecutive Holiday Schedule (Spring Festival, Qingming, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, and National Day Holidays)
5. 2018 (ROC 107) Taiwan-Penghu-Kinmen-Matsu Consecutive Holiday Calendar (Lunar New Year Spring Festival, Qingming, Dragon Boat, and Mid-Autumn Consecutive Holidays)
6. 2019 Taiwan Consecutive Holiday Calendar and Make-up Work and Make-up Holiday Calendar (Lunar New Year Spring Festival, Qingming, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, and National Day)
7. ROC 110 Holiday Calendar: Consecutive Holidays (National Holidays, Spring Festival New Year Holidays) Taiwan-Penghu-Kinmen-Matsu 2021 Consecutive Holiday Schedule (Make-up Holidays, Work Days)
8. ROC 110 New Banknote Exchange: New Year Spring Festival Red Envelope Banknote Exchange Banks, Post Offices 2021 Latest Information
9. 2023 Consecutive Holiday Calendar: Taiwan-Penghu-Kinmen-Matsu 2023 National Holidays, Spring Festival New Year Holiday Schedule (Including Holidays, Make-up Holidays, Make-up Work Days)