The Ultimate Ang Pao Guide for Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is right around the corner, so that means it’s ang pao season! Yay for everyone but the married couples. 🤭

Jokes aside, the significance of this tradition is for married, working adults to share their wealth and blessings with young ones or their elders, while the colour of the red packet signifies prosperity and happiness. On top of that, the money inside the packet signifies the gift of fortune and luck. 

There’s no hard rule as to how much you should give in an ang pao, but generally they are bestowed based on hierarchy, as well as the relationship between the giver and the receiver. 

This ultimate guide to giving ang pao will help you cover all your bases. 

Parents and grandparents

If you’ve been wondering who should get the biggest ang pao, it’s your parents (in-laws included), and grandparents. There’s no question about it, since they were the ones who raised you (and put up with all your nonsense as you were growing up!). 

Your kids, siblings and grandchildren

Your kids and siblings should generally receive the second largest cut of ang paos. Did they annoy you a lot this year? Or were they super helpful and you’d like to show your gratitude? Whether RM50 or RM100, you decide. 🙈

Cousins, nieces and nephews  

Chinese New Year is the one time a year that everyone travels great distances to be reunited with family. Give them less than your own kids, but make it even so you don’t get them fighting over each other. 😜

Employees and public workers 

This could be someone who works for you or even the security guard that patrols your neighbourhood. Now’s the chance to reward them for their service. 

Yang lain-lain 

This category applies to random people who drop by your house, your kid’s classmates or neighbour’s grandchildren. Since you have no ties to these people, just give any amount that you’re comfortable with as a symbolic gesture, even if it’s only RM2 or RM6. 

🏮 Some things to note… 

Always use even digits 

Odd-numbers are associated with funerals, so always give an even numbered amount, like RM2, RM6, RM8, or RM10. 

Never use number 4 

The number 4 sounds like death in Mandarin, so never give RM4, RM14, RM24. You get the idea. 

Use new notes 

It’s tradition to give new notes in ang paos, so make sure you go to the bank in time for Chinese New Year. Never use coins. You can also consider sending a digital ang pao through BigPay! 

Win BIG with BigPay this Chinese New Year! 

In the spirit of lucky number 8, we’re bringing you 3 ways you can usher in more luck:

Pay “Huatever” you want 

• The top 8 weekly spenders will win 8,888 airasia points 

• Applies to payments through the BigPay card, and bills in-app 

• Bonus — Get 8% cashback capped at RM5!

• Campaign runs from 9 January - 7 February
  
  

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Hong Bao Na Lai) 

Go cashless and send virtual ang paos with BigPay! 

• Send a minimum of RM8 to win 888 airasia points 

• Applies to P2P/Duitnow Transfer in the BigPay app 

• Campaign runs from 11 January - 7 February 
  
  

An auspicious time to Stash money 

• It’s believed that stashing money during Li Chun, the beginning of Spring, will bring steady income throughout the year. 

• Deposit a minimum of RM88 in your Stash to win 888 airasia points!

• Campaign runs from 4 - 5 February 

*Terms and conditions apply  

Happy Chinese New Year from Team BigPay! 💙