Red Envelopes

The best time of the year for children is probably Chinese New Year because family members give red envelopes.  The red envelope is given by adults or older siblings to younger relatives and close friends.  What makes them so special is that the envelopes often contain money (sometimes other small gifts or chocolate can be included)!  I have not met many friends that have not liked receiving red envelopes or can’t remember a special time of sharing red envelopes with their families (some friends even receive the envelopes into their college years), but I know that it is also an honor to be able to give the envelopes to youth.  When first starting to give the envelopes, it is often at the beginning of a career or transition into a new part of working life.  It is a blessing to be generous with the gifts to family.  In church we also share red envelope gifts with each other, but usually the money is substituted with a Bible verse as a blessing to start the new year!