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Q: Why offer cash in red envelopes instead of real gifts?
Chinese New Year is the equivalent to Christmas - people get together in family and offer each other stuff.
My question is why do people offer each other money? Isn't that a little cold, impersonal? Doesn't it end up putting a lot of strain on people...Not just financially, but also comparatively - one person is embarrassed and loses face if someone else offers more money, that kind of thing?
Don't know, guess I don't really understand it's significance...wouldn't trade it for Christmas.
In China,druing the chinese New Year,the eldership should give the money to the younger generation,especially little kids.
they use red envelopes ,red is a lucky color,and envelopes can hidden the how much money they give during family union,many relatives together.
to be honest.,as a chinese, I like Chrismas in westen,because gifts are better.
I have the same feeling, but in fact it's easier to give money than think so hard to get the perfect gift for everyone, and sometimes people don't like what u give.
In Europe, u can go to the shop to change ur gift for Christmas, that doesn't make sense either, why to bother to change it if u can just use the money to buy whatever u like?
I don't want gifts or money, would love to be invited to dinner for my birthday…… 
Money for them is good. They might not like the presents you'll give them. I know that thought counts better but what the heck do they care.
If it's a wedding, the envelopes are much better, believe me. When I got married we spent tons of cash and to get a bunch back was nice. We had all our furniture and a small apartment, we didn't need it filled with garbage.
I understand where you are coming from. Most people would rather receive a gift as it's the thought and not the gift that matters. You can't put a price on the thought and it's better for them not to know how much the gift is. With the red envelopes there is a certain amount and I'm sure some families receive more than others. As long as its the thought of the gift and they don't put to much emphasis on the price it should be alright. Some people might give 400 rmb some could give 2000 rmb or more or less. Again it wouldn't be the price of the gift but the thought that matters.
