20 Lunar New Year Gifts to Ring in the Year of the Dragon

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As you may already know, the Lunar New Year is observed across multiple Asian countries including China, Korea, and Vietnam on the first new moon of the lunar calendar. This year, the holiday celebrating togetherness and a fresh start falls on Saturday, February 10. Getting ready for the festivities means hanging up red and gold decorations, preparing dinner parties, and coming up with the best Lunar New Year gift ideas for friends and family. Traditionally, these gifts often come in the form of red envelopes filled with cash, sweets, fruits, and alcohol. Gift-giving rules vary from one culture to another, but most presents that directly honor the holiday are acceptable.

If you're pondering what to get a friend or neighbor who just invited you to their celebration or perhaps want to treat yourself to something, we've found 20 appropriate items to ring in the holiday. Since 2024 is the year of the dragon, which is said to usher in intelligence, leadership, and creative pursuits, gifts that bear this motif are obvious choices. Our favorites include these playful wall decals, this plush toy, and dragon fan key rings. You'll also want to stick with items in colors that symbolize good fortune and prosperity, like gold and red. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with classic Lunar New Year candy or a dried fruit snack box.

Ahead, find the best gifts for the Lunar New Year. No matter how big or small the item, it counts! You just don't want to arrive empty-handed. Besides, this holiday is about showing up and spending time with loved ones above all else.

Red Envelopes

Adults give red envelopes to their children for the Lunar New Year (though this stops once they're married), so if you're looking to gift money to your teen nieces, cousins, or neighbors with young children, this is the go-to traditional present. There's no set amount, so you can be as generous as you want.

Blessing Door Stickers

"Usually I'm not into Kawaii decorations, but I make an exception every year for these cute zodiac characters. I like to stick them up on my fridge," says senior commerce editor Marina Liao. "So I'll replace my rabbit decals from last year with these adorable dragons."

Lucky Candy

"I eat these strawberry-flavored candies every Chinese New Year, so they're rooted in childhood nostalgia for me," says Liao. If you want to give someone a small yet tasty present, you can't go wrong with this classic sweet treat.

Yellow Orchid

You'll see flowers everywhere during this holiday, and orchids are one of the acceptable ones to give someone as they signify wealth, sophistication, love, unity, and fertility. Avoid giving white orchids as the hue represents death. Go for a cheerful yellow instead; it represents hope, royalty, and power.

Dragon Crochet Kit

Although you shouldn't do needlework on actual New Year's Day (doing any kind of work is considered bad luck), there are no rules against crocheting your little creature before or after the holiday. Give this easy-to-follow kit to a friend or family member who loves to keep their hands busy and wouldn't mind creating a tiny collectable as a unique way to celebrate the year of the dragon.

SolZest Mandarin Oranges

Since Lunar New Year is very much centered around food, the best gifts come in the form of fruits, candies, and alcohol. That's why it's not unusual to bring over an entire box of Mandarin oranges to someone's home. The citrus fruit represents wealth, and who doesn't want that energy in the house?

Dried Fruit & Nuts Arrangement

If a box of oranges doesn't cut it for your person, tack on this arrangement of dried fruits and nuts. In this box, you'll find mouthwatering snacks like salted almonds, pistachios, red plums, dried pineapple, Medjool dates, papaya chunks, apricots, and cranberries.

Lunar New Year Decorations Dragon Plush

Does your friend have a little one? If so, surprise their kid with this plush dragon toy in addition to a red envelope. The red-and-gold mythical creature doubles as festive couch or chair decor too.

Snack Box

Each of these special deliveries contains 20-plus snacks you usually can find only in Japan. Select a delivery cadence, from every month to every 12 months, to send treats directly to your recipient's front door. Just make sure to place your subscription order ASAP so the first box arrives in time for the holiday.

Handmade Embroidery Pillows

Lion dances are part of every Lunar New Year celebration, but if you're not keen on dressing up and joining in on the parade, you can still tap into that spirit with these decorative pillows. While this isn't a traditional gift to give during the holiday, it's a good choice for close friends and family members who appreciate cute decor.

Watercolor Koi Fish Painting

Koi fish represent wealth, respect, luck, and power, so help usher those vibes into their household with this watercolor painting. The fish even comes in a pair of two, which is a lucky number during the Lunar New Year as it symbolizes balance, harmony, and partnership.

Lunar New Year Display

This is a gift to give yourself, especially if you're a big LEGO fan. How cute are the miniature peonies, koi fish, and red envelopes? Build and then display them on your bookshelf ahead of the holiday.

Our Lunar New Year by Yobe Qiu

In this book, you'll discover how five different cultures celebrate the holiday. While it's meant for children, adults can learn a new fact or two from it too, making it a worthy addition to any bookshelf or coffee table.

New Year Pet Jacket

"I bought this jacket for my dog, Willow, two years ago, and it was a hit at my family's dinner celebration. Everyone wanted to take photos with her because she looked so cute!" says Liao. Definitely get this as a gift for the pet parents in your life so their furry friend can dress up with the group.

Dragon Fan Key Ring

If you're not familiar with the iconic New York City retailer Pearl River Market, it's the spot to go for authentic Asian goods. Support a local AAPI-owned business this month by picking up these on-theme dragon fan key rings. The endless knot charm dangling from the bottom symbolizes prosperity and never-ending good luck. They just might never forget their keys again!

To find even more Chinatown retailers and restaurants to support, follow #LoveAAPI on Instagram. Created by culinary historian Grace Young, the James Beard Foundation, and museum/café Poster House, the hashtag highlights AAPI-owned small businesses across the country.

Asian Symbols Dragon Ornament

This Swarovski ornament contains all the Lunar New Year–approved elements: auspicious red and yellow, plus a little dragon to mark the holiday perfectly. Hang it off a shelf or around the neck of a vase—somewhere the crystal won't get banged up or broken.

Lunar New Year Dragon Lazy Susan

You scored an invite to a Lunar New Year celebration—congrats! Now it's time to bring a present for your host. We suggest picking up the aforementioned sweets and dried fruit to go along with this stoneware dragon motif plate. If you're the one hosting, you certainly must get this and fill it up with delicious snacks for your guests.

Lunar Tea Set

Nothing would make a tea enthusiast happier than receiving a new addition to their drinkware collection. This holiday set comes with a teapot, four teacups, and four saucers. Best of all, the pieces are microwavable and dishwasher safe, though for the more cautious, hand-washing is the way to go.

2024 Lunar New Year Chocolate Coins

You can't talk about sweets without adding chocolate to the mix. Choose milk or dark chocolate pieces individually wrapped in red or gold foil so the pieces look like coins.

Fortune Cookie Erasers for Kids

We have to preface this one by clarifying that erasers are not traditional Lunar New Year gifts. However, for teachers who want to honor the holiday spirit in their classrooms, these fortune cookie erasers (which come in a pack of 24) are an inexpensive way to kick-start a conversation about the special day.

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