Chinese neighbours new year

[Hairday]

We have Chinese neighbours who are very quiet and the only time we see them is Chinese New year when they come over to give my children money in red envelopes. This year, I want to give them a present. What would be appropriate to give neighbours for Chinese New year?

Do they have children? Give them some money in a red envelope in return. We live in an area with a large Chinese community, my kids love Chinese New Year they often get edible money along with the real money and when their friends invite them for tea the food sounds amazing!

They have children but they're adults, so would that still be normal to give money?

Ooh I dont know no one has ever given me money (I wish they would ) just the kids

My inlaws are chinese.
I would give them a nice box of satsumas or a tin of biscuits.
But really they wont expect anything.

Are the adult children married? Amongst my colleagues, that's when you transfer from receiver to giver of red packets.

I'd go with something food based, wrapped nicely in red/gold.

Normally red packets are only for children or unmarried younger relatives

Do you have a local shop specialising in the Far East? You could ask in there and they can point you to appropriate items? I’ve done this before for a neighbour as the family who own the local ‘oriental’ shop are Chinese 😊

A quick google seems to suggest a gift of an even numbered amount but not 4 Satsumas wrapped in red packaging. I'm pretty sure they wont be expecting something in return though.

Red envelope es go to children and young (and unmarried) adults.

Satsumas wouid be good (auspicious)

Gold or red wrapped chocolate

Never 4 of anything (4 is an unlucky number - homophone of death).

Go for 8 - the most auspicious number

im told food is the appropriate gift, a small quantity of treat item like a small box of truffles, or marzipan chocolates,

Some nice ideas here...

www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/special-report/chinese-new-year/new-year-gift.htm

Personally, I’d go with some nice (loose) tea or ‘candy’.

As others have said, red and 8 are good, 4 isn’t.

Year of the rat... sorry that’s not helpful! Have you a local Chinatown? Yes red envelopes for children, not sure about adults - if you have a nice Chinese store or bakery - oh yum!

And thanks for the reminder - my favourite Chinese restaurant always has a dragon at new year (I love it when it ‘eats’ the cabbage and spits it out at everyone!)

I have a Chinese neighbour and was wondering the same. She has decorations on her front door and I see her often as our children are at same school. If I give her 8 red Lindt Lindor chocolates in a gold bag that would seem to be ok? They have an 8yo DD, how much money would be appropriate to gift for her?

My best friend is British Chinese, I usually get her a box of red Lindor so that would be fine I'd imagine @cravingcake

Thank you everyone who replied. These are great ideas. I'll see what I can find.