I only did it because my friends gave me some presents and I felt obliged to give some presents in return, I didn’t like to take and not give. It is part of the Christmas spirits any way. It was not my tradition but I had to respect my friends’ tradition. We only ‘traded’ the gifts if we happened to meet up around Christmas time, otherwise we did not have to bother. It was not too bad because we only ‘trade’ something like little toys for the children, and food and drink for the adults, nothing too expensive and nothing wasted.

Now my children are not little kids and we don’t meet up with these friends during Christmas anymore, the gift trading experiences just become a memory, and it was a sweet memory.

The people I give gifts now are people who really deserve the gifts, like my children’s teachers (only if my children ask me to prepare the gifts, I don’t initiate the idea), and those friends who helped me throughout the year, etc. I only give the gift and not receive any gift from them. It is a way for me to say ‘Thank You’, so I am really happy that I have Christmas as a time that I am able to express my thanks to them.

The custom of Gift giving at Christmas is similar to Red Pocket giving at Chinese New Year for the Chinese.

Red Pockets (some very pretty red small paper envelops) containing cash inside are given to children or anyone you want to give at the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

We mainly give it to children of our very close family, and our parents. It is a very stressful time for people who can’t afford or hate this tradition. Some people go away for holiday to avoid this tradition, but some people look forward to this special chance to give the red pockets.

We live in apartments and there are many people working as security guards, cleaners etc for the building we live in. Chinese New Year is the only time we are allow to give the Red Pockets without feeling embarrassed about it. It is only about one to three US dollars to each of them, but if every apartment give the red pockets, in where I live there are over two hundred apartments, it can give these low wage people some kind of extra help during this needy period, so we are very happy to be able to give them something, also to show our appreciation for their service.

We also give the red pockets to some waiters and waitress etc if we go to restaurants during this special period, especially if you are a regular customer there. Some people prepare some red pockets especially for the chefs who really had been looking after you for the whole year, what else do you want to give them to say thanks?

Shortly before Chinese New Year, most big business organisations eg. banks, restaurants, etc. etc. give their customers some packs of Red Pockets (empty ones of course, but all printed their company name so it serves as a means to advertise their business), you can also buy some Red Pockets specially made for you (with your own name and message etc. printed on them). Banks prepare some crispy brand new bank notes for their customers to exchange with their old money, and then people put these new notes in the red pockets ready to give away.

Talking about Chinese New Year, it is not too far away now, and I must get ready soon.

Thank you your episode.

I am a christian but I don’t celebrate christmas.

According Bible Acts 20:35 [ There is more happiness in giving than there is in receving.]

I like to give my family or friends gift any time when I find something good for them.