Monday, 31 January 2011
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Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is around the corner and Mrs jigg and I are cleaning up and preparing for it. I bought this candy tray yesterday and some candy so that guests would be able to have something sweet.
One problem we had was deciding how much money to give out. Now that we're married, we have to give out to those who aren't. Not that anyone really cares because you're just trying to wish them goodluck with the red envelopes, but there are a lot of of kids in the families and it adds up.
You never realize when you're a kid, how much money your parents actually give out. You only know how much money you get. I remember getting like $1 from some people and thinking how cheap they were. You never stopped to think that even giving out $1 per red envelope, you're giving $2 per couple (you're supposed to get one from each person). If there are 100 kids, that's $200 less money they have. The Mrs and I make a decent amount, but a lot of my parent's friends back then were only factory workers and waiters, making less than minimum wage.
With that said, it's definitely interesting being on the giving end. Mrs jigg is kind of whatever about this holiday, but I'm all for keeping with culture and traditions. I was excited when I was a kid because my parents allowed us to stay home, eat sweets and collect money. I hope to pass it down to our future children and give them another holiday to celebrate and look forward to.** ** ** **
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Comments (23)
"If there are 100 kids, that's $200 less money they have."
Yes it adds up.
How about $2 per envelope, so $4 total?
Anyhow, where is my lay see? You can send it to me in the mail. Thanks friend!
hmm, i thought per couple is just one red envelope to a child?
@ms_coco - I've always gotten 2 per couple so maybe things are done differently in different places?
@pinksoda117 - Yeah, we're going to put $2, $5 and $10.
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Thank goodness there's not a lot of children in our family. My sister has 3 kids, my brother has one and I only have one too so I'm able to give a little more. I will most likely end up giving each of my sister's kids $20 so that'll only be $60 out of my pocket. My brother and his daughter lives in another state so I won't have to give anything there. Since my husband is Cambodian he does not celebrate his New Year's until April. However, his New Year's is a little different. Instead of giving money to the kids, he gives money to the adults.
I'm just happy I have Wednesday through Friday off^^
Yea... CNY. Always look forward to it because I receive red envelopes. Though, I can't wait until the day I give. I'm sure I'll feel the "hit" of it after 10 CNYs of giving red envelopes, it becomes quite repetitive...unless you have kids also and that totally balances out everything.
@ms_coco - It depends whether you're originally from which dialect group. The Cantonese (mainly Chinese from Hong Kong) will have the habit of giving 2 per couple. Others usually is 1 per couple.
I think it's great, and admirable, that you'd put some much thought and effort into continuing a tradition you loved as a child with the next generation. While integration into American society is good, it's great that you're paying respect to your ancestral customs and traditions. Good for you man.
Lunar New Year was my favorite holiday when I was a kid. Now that my husband and I are married, we too have to think about how much to give. We are planning to give $40 to each of my siblings (that's $240 already, including my sister's boyfriend!), and probably $5 to $10 to each of the younger cousin. Yikes, it does add up! We're hoping to spend no more than $400 total this new year.
You sir, are making a positive contribution to society.
@babixk1umzy - Which could be worse? I mean giving $$ to adults... you know... since with little kids, giving less is most likely not a problem but when giving $$ to adults, do you sometimes feel like you're obligated to give just a little more?
@Provides_Fiber - Definitely obligated to give more to the older folks. I couldn't just give them a $1, that may seem like an insult, versus giving $1 to a little kid where a dollar might seem like $1000 to them. For one adult, we're looking at least $30-$60.
@Provides_Fiber - Actually, for adults, I'm just going to give them like $4 ($2 from me and $2 from my wife). When it comes to them, it's not about the money, but about the thought and idea behind it.
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@Provides_Fiber - Unless you're talking about adults---meaning my parents and their generation. For them it would probably be around $10-$20 each envelope.
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I usually (and still do) receive five dollars per envelope.... so that is about 10 per couple. Sometimes you only see one parents so you only get one envelope, but I know that my mom bases the envelope depending on who she is giving it to. Children closer to the family receive more.... and as to the unmarried adults, there's a 'cutting' point. If they are being called 'uncle' or 'auntie' by nephews and nieces, they are too old to be receiving any red pockets.
I use to only get $1 from strangers and only had 5 adults in my family who give out red envelopes and til this day, I still get the same amount, minus the strangers. It's not much but I always appreciated it. For me it was more about th excitement of the new year. It was the decorations, the food, the music, the overall energy of the New Year. Unfortunately I won't be home for CNY this year so there's o fanfare on this side. Also, no one around here seems to believe in the traditions of the red envelope giving. =\
I find this all really exciting.... though I'm not Chinese, this practice is thoughtful and sorta fun. It's like Christmas all over again.
i still get $5 from grandma...better than nothing lol
Happy CNY, may the Rabbit year brings you good health, peace, happiness and prosperity!
i'd be annoyed if i got $1 in my red packet. though one year my parents gave me only $1.50. anyways, you could try finding out what the average amount is, and go from there.