What gifts to buy for Chinese New Year?

We've been invited by my husband's colleague for a family dinner to celebrate Chinese New Year and we are honored to attend. Question is, what would be appropriate gifts to get?


Family includes: my husband's colleague, his grandparents, parents, 2 brothers and their wives, 3 kids (girls), ages 1, 4, 7. Any advice would be much appreciated!

CNY is not really a time that is necessary to give individual gifts. Although some do, but it's not the practice.


For the dinner invitation, I would suggest:

1)A box of nice chocolates for each individual family (immediate) (from Citisuper/Taste) They are higher quality, about $ 150-$200 a box. They wrap it too.

2) A box of Lo Bak Go (Radish pudding cake) or the Neen Go (Sweet pudding cake that is either brown or white). Famous brands include St. Honore, Maxims, or even WAH LAI YUEN available at Taste or Park N Shop.

3) Then for the grandparents, cookies, eggrolls, and fruits. (in dozens)

4) For the kids- two packet of lai see from you and your husband. Denominations- $ 50 in each packet would be VERY decent. If you want to give less, $ 20 in each is ok.


If you walk out to the supermarkets like Park N Shop, Wellcome, and the gift shops in Causeway Bay, Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui... etc. You will see what's the latest trends.


Most important (if they are chinese) is to say all the good blessings when you walk in their house.... Kung Hei Fat Choy, Good Health (Sun Tai Kin Hong)....

Well from the list sasnia put there... I think there isn't just ONE immediate family. unless the two brothers, and two wives and parents and grandparents all live under one roof. It depends how well she knows them... we bring a box of chocolates or something (not empty handed) to any house parties that isn't even during CNY... so bascially I was saying a general rule was SOMETHING for a family, and lai see for the kids.

Just throwing out ideas......

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!! Katetam is right in that it's not just one immediate family; the grandparents, parents, brothers etc live on their own. BTW, the family get together is at a restaurant. I like the idea of a fruit basket for the family - there are some really beautiful arrangements I've seen!


When you guys say 2 lai see packets, do you mean one for each kid from each of us? So, 3 kids would get 6 lai see packets? Thanks for clarifying!!