The Lunar New Year is a time of family reunions around tables laden with delicacies. But for working adults, the holidays also mean giving gifts of cash to children and seniors in the family. And much like everywhere else in the world, family gatherings also give rise to some uncomfortable questions. Tomasz Koper reports.
Giving relatives money in red envelopes is a popular custom in East and Southeast Asia, especially around the Lunar New Year. According to one legend, a monster called Sui (祟) would creep into houses at night and frighten children. Parents would then put copper coins in red envelopes and hide them under their children’s pillows, which would keep the mischievous being away.
Because the name of the beast and the word for year are homophones, the custom became associated with the Lunar New Year.
These days, however, kids expect a bit more than a few copper pennies in their envelopes. So how much is enough?
The going rate for one’s own young children is around NT$600-800 (US$20-25). From middle school onwards, it starts at NT$1200 (US$40) and maxes out at around NT$3600 (US$120).
Token gifts for friends’ children range from NT$200 to NT$1200 (US$7-40).
Cash in red envelopes is also a customary gift to seniors in the family. Those are substantially heftier and start at NT$6000 (US$200). But those going through financial difficulties shouldn’t put themselves into debt over this, so smaller amounts are also acceptable.
Evil beings are not the only ones that need to be appeased. So do relatives. Much like elsewhere in the world, young Taiwanese have to dodge questions like: how much do you earn? When are you getting married? Having kids any time soon? You’ve had one already, when’s the next one coming?
A father of two boys says he gets questions about trying again, this time for a daughter. But what if it’s another boy, he sighs. The mother says she gets those questions too, but she cheekily replies she’s closed for business.
Red envelopes may be a uniquely Asian custom, but pesky relatives are a holiday staple we all have to endure.