Discover the best luxury Lunar New Year gift ideas to make the Year of the Water Rabbit a wonderful and prosperous year. Gong Hei Fat Choy, Gong Xi Fa Cai, and happy Lunar New Year to all.
Jump to the 18 Best Luxury Gifts for Lunar New Year
What is the Lunar New Year?
The Lunar New Year, sometimes referred to as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar.
The first day of the Lunar New Year begins on the first new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.
Around the world, Lunar New Year is celebrated with unique traditions and cultural celebrations. Celebrations include lavish festivities, spending time with loved ones, feasting on traditional dishes, and gift-giving. Parades and performers fill the streets, and the air is filled with fireworks, lanterns, and cooking spices. For decorations, you’ll see lots of red and gold and lots of images depicting the Chinese Zodiac animal of the lunar cycle.
What are the Chinese New Year Zodiac Animals?
The Chinese zodiac has 12 animals. The animals in order are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
In some countries, the animals differ from the Chinese zodiac. For example, the second animal in Vietnam is a Buffalo instead of an Ox, and the Cat replaces the Rabbit. In the Thai zodiac, there is no Dragon. Instead, they have a mythical serpent called the “Naga”.
What is the difference between the Chinese zodiac and the Western zodiac?
There are a few similarities between the Chinese zodiac calendar and Western astrology. Both use a time cycle split into 12 parts, ascribing a person’s specific characteristics depending on their birth.
The difference between the Lunar New Year calendar and the Western zodiac is that the Lunar New Year calendar follows a twelve-year cycle rather than a monthly rotation.
Additionally, Western Zodiac uses constellations for each cycle, whereas the Chinese zodiac only uses animals. Interestingly, the word “zodiac” is an ancient Greek word that means “cycle of animals”, which means that the Western zodiac is incorrectly named.
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When is Lunar New Year in Australia?
In 2023, Lunar New Year falls on Sunday, January 22nd. The Lantern Festival, which is held on the 15th day, marks the end of the New Year celebration period.
This year, we say farewell to 2022 and the year of the Water Tiger and welcome the beginning of the Water Rabbit.
What are the characteristics of the Water Rabbit?
The Year of the Rabbit is expected to be one of patience and luck. As 2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit, expect an abundance of peace, success, and lots of good fortune.
Those born in the year of the rabbit are known to be incredibly gentle, quiet, and elegant. They are skilful and alert and often value patience, hard work, and responsibility. Like their animal counterparts, they can be reluctant to reveal their truth, often choosing to flee certain situations. However, they are known to be faithful and will return to those they trust.
What do people wear on Chinese New Year?
It is customary to wear brand-new clothes from head to toe for the Lunar New Year to welcome the new year with a fresh start. Red or other brightly-colour garments are considered the most auspicious and help to add to the festivities.
What kind of gifts do people exchange for the Lunar New Year?
Chinese New Year is an opportunity to spoil the ones you love and show gratitude and thanks. Gifting is a meaningful and sentimental practice focusing on gifts that bring good luck, fortune, prosperity, and joy.
Many gifts, decorations, and fashion during the Lunar New Year feature rich reds and opulent gods. Children receive red envelopes from elders and parents, also known as “lai see” or “hong bao”, filled with money or sweets.
In Chinese culture, the colour red symbolises good fortune and happiness. As expected, gold is symbolic of wealth and prosperity. Gold and red promise good luck and prosperity to everyone in the coming new year.
To help you find the perfect Chinese New Year gift and to build your list of Lunar New Year Gifts, here is our selection of the best luxury items we have that will have your giftee hopping with joy.
The 18 Best Luxury Gifts To Give During The Lunar New Year
Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Red Pump
Start the new lunar year with a bang with the pinnacle of luxury footwear; Manolo Blahnik. As one of the leading names in luxury fashion, look no further for the perfect gift than the iconic Hangisi Pump. The Hangisi design features the signature glistening buckle that first appeared in Manolo Blahnik’s Spring ’08 collection. This jaw-dropping design has been etched into fashion history thanks to the character of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw and her love for the brand. In the perfect shade of red for Chinese New Year festivities, discover why this brand continues to set the standard for shoes.
Aquazzura Galactic Flower Sandal
For out-of-this-world golden glamour, look no further than the Aquazzura Galactic Flower Sandal. Italian-designed, this statement-making golden shoe pairs perfectly with bright-coloured New Year ensembles and more. Featuring a luminous floral embellishment and a slender strap, this shoe sets the gold standard for Lunar New Year gift ideas.
Christian Louboutin So Kate Pumps In Patent Psychic
As the most iconic silhouettes from the house of Christian Louboutin, the So Kate speaks for itself as an unforgettable Lunar New Year present. As a celebration of the season, these stiletto heels come in a vampish-red hue with the instantly recognisable Louboutin signature red sole.
Qeelin Petite Wulu Bracelet With Diamonds And Red Agate
In honour of the occasion, gift an equally poignant and auspicious adornment: a bracelet featuring a “Wulu” (a gourd) from Qeelin. The Wulu or Wu Lou symbolises good health and prosperity to the wearer, making it the perfect gift for a loved one. Crafted in 18K rose gold with diamonds and red agate, this bracelet has all the makings of a treasured family heirloom.
Longines White Mother Of Pearl Dial On Red
Synonymous with luxury, this timepiece from Longines belongs to those who know how to appreciate true value. As part of the Longines Master Collection, this watch’s white pearl and red colour scheme promises good fortune and encapsulates Longines’ classical elegance.
Valentino Garavani Billfold Wallet
Celebrate the new year and new beginnings with a stylish wallet that will be treasured for years to come. The perfect gift for a beloved family member or spouse, he’ll love the fine craftsmanship of this piece from the Valentino Garavani collection. The gift that keeps on giving, Valentino continues to craft sophisticated leather goods that bridge the gap between traditional artistry and contemporary sensibilities. Add a little extra fortune by including some money in the wallet for the giftee. Any amount with an eight will is considered extra lucky for the giftee.
Balmain Balmain x Pokemon Bold Sneaker
The sneakerhead collaboration of the year is here. Celebrate the new year, new beginnings, and a new era in pop culture with the highly-coveted BALMAIN x POKEMON sneakers. Sought after by nostalgic gamers, brand lovers, and sneaker-heads alike, this collaboration piece is what is missing from their collection.
Bally B Chain Belt
Made in Italy since 1851, Bally continues to lead the way for heritage craftsmanship with a decidedly contemporary aesthetic. Elevate their Lunar New Year wardrobe with a timeless leather belt featuring a festive red stripe and iconic gold buckle.
GUCCI G-Timeless Watch
This is a timepiece gift they will marvel at for years. Influential, innovative and progressive, Gucci sets the bar as an iconic brand that continues to reinvent, reimagine, and re-enter the scene time and time again with new modern approaches to fashion. As part of the G-Timeless collection, this watch has been masterfully designed with the perfect mix of steel and yellow gold. The silver sun-brushed dial features a gold-toned GUCCI bee at the centre, flanked by delicate arms.
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Serge Lutens L’Orpheline EDP
Minimalist, straight-lined, angular and uncompromising, discover a perfume created by Serge Lutens in his own image. The rich fragrance and subtle spice notes will linger long after the Lunar New Year celebrations have finished.
Glasshouse LNY Year of the Rabbit Candle
Celebrate the beginning of the lunar cycle with this limited-edition candle from the masters of luxury home fragrances, Glasshouse Fragrances. This scent is an homage to the beginning of the Chinese Zodiac’s gentlest animal; the kind, peaceful, loyal rabbit. Indulge in a symphony of florals: notes of rose and gardenia encircled by the alluring spark of Blood Orange and Amber.
Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl EDP
Fun, fabulous and fearless, Very Good Girl is a bold interpretation of Carolina Herrera’s iconic Good Girl fragrance. House in a red-lacquered stiletto, this fragrance makes the perfect Lunar New Year gift with its red colour palette and enthralling and decadent scent.
SK-II Limited Edition White Rabbit Facial Treatment Essence
This Chinese New Year of the Rabbit, SK-II debuts the 2023 New Year Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence. Designed in collaboration with a beloved iconic brand White Rabbit, this themed luxury skincare product encourages everyone to hop forward to a great new year.
Lancôme Absolue Soft Cream
Gift the magic that is Lancome’s legendary skincare collection, Absolue. A delightful luxurious product, this is the perfect gift for someone who deserves a little pampering. Housed in a Chinese New Year gold-coloured container and infused with the renowned power of Grand Rose Extracts, this hydrating, skin-nourishing cream is suitable for all skin types.
La Prairie Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate
A resplendent serum, the Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate provides immediate and long-term benefits to the skin for an unprecedented glow. Glowing with La Prairie’s famous Pure Gold Diffusion System, this gold-coloured luxury skincare product is sure to add a touch of luxury self-care to the Lunar New Year.
Christian Louboutin Beauty Velvet Matte Rouge Lipstick
Nothing says Christian Louboutin more than red, and nothing says Lunar New Year gifting than luxury red lipstick. Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte gives a high-pigmented and soft touch finish with non-drying comfort to your lips. This matte lipstick is ideal for beauty lovers and promises long-wear effortless precision, bursting with natural oils and seed butter.
Dyson Air Wrap in Nickel/Copper
Elevate their hair game with a superior hair styling tool from Dyson. Sophisticated and impossibly easy to use, give them the latest iteration of the game-changing AirWrap in a stylish nickel and copper finish. Say hello to red-carpet-ready hair without extreme heat every day of the new year
MARTELL Cognac Cordon Bleu
A masterful blend of 150 Eaux-de-vie, this iconic Cognac is characterised by its finesse, richness and elegance. It is truly emblematic of the Martell house style. The perfect gift for when you want to make a grand impression and welcome the Lunar New Year in style, this cognac is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world, more than a century after its creation.
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