The Best Lunar New Year Gifts for 2026
Lunar New Year 2026 arrives on February 17th, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse—a rare and auspicious occasion that occurs only once every 60 years. This special zodiac year symbolizes energy, confidence, independence, and forward momentum, making it the perfect time to honor loved ones with meaningful gifts that capture the spirit of new beginnings.
Whether you're shopping for family, friends, or business associates, finding the right gift means balancing tradition with thoughtfulness. Red and gold remain the lucky colors of choice, while horse motifs take center stage as this year's most symbolic design element. From time-honored classics like red envelopes filled with crisp bills and premium tea sets to modern delights like gourmet treat boxes and designer zodiac accessories, the options are as diverse as they are meaningful.
We've rounded up the best Lunar New Year gifts to help you celebrate in style, honor tradition, and share wishes of prosperity, health, and happiness for the year ahead.
1. Personalized PerfectGift gift card
A gift card is always a welcomed gift this time of year
Gift cards allow recipients to select something they really want or need, making them a versatile option. Rather than guessing what someone might like, you're giving them the freedom to choose. Gift cards are convenient for both the gifter and the recipient, making them a perfect choice for corporate gifting. This is especially helpful when you're buying for multiple people or colleagues you may not know intimately.
If you really want to wish your family and loved ones a happy Lunar New Year, make sure to send them a personalized PerfectGift gift card! There are thousands of merchants to choose from, ensuring you’ll get them a gift they can’t wait to use. You could also choose to send a Visa gift card, which they can use anywhere that Visa is accepted.
It’s easy to do, just choose the merchant, decide on the amount, personalize it with a photo and a message, and send! You get to decide whether or not you want to give them a digital gift card or a physical one. If your order is placed between Monday-Saturday before 4pm, your gift will be printed and shipped the same day!
2. Red envelopes with cash
This traditional Lunar New Year gift is the one recipients hope they get!
The act of giving and receiving red envelopes strengthens family bonds and social relationships. It's a moment of connection, respect, and shared celebration that reinforces community ties during the most important holiday of the year. Image courtesy of Paper City Magazine.
Red envelopes (hongbao or lai see) are the most iconic and traditional Lunar New Year gift, passed down through generations. They represent a direct transfer of good wishes and blessings from one person to another, making them deeply meaningful within the cultural celebration. The red color wards off evil spirits and symbolizes good fortune, while the cash inside represents wishes for prosperity and wealth in the coming year. It's a tangible way to share your hopes that the recipient will thrive financially and enjoy abundance.
While especially popular for children and unmarried young adults, red envelopes can be given to anyone. Elders give them to younger generations, employers give them to employees, and friends exchange them as tokens of goodwill. Red envelopes are simple to prepare yet deeply appreciated. You don't need to worry about sizes, preferences, or whether someone already has something similar. The gesture itself carries the meaning.
3. Year of the Horse jewelry
Get a year of the Horse piece of jewelry that they can wear this year and beyond
Options for this Lunar New Year gift range from affordable fashion pieces to high-end designer creations, so you can find something within any budget while still giving a gift that feels special and luxurious. Image courtesy of Etsy.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, making horse-themed jewelry especially meaningful and timely. Wearing zodiac jewelry connects the recipient to the energy and symbolism of their birth year or the current year's animal. The horse represents freedom, confidence, independence, energy, and forward momentum—qualities everyone aspires to embody. Gifting horse jewelry is like giving someone a wearable reminder to embrace these positive traits throughout the year.
Jewelry is inherently personal, showing you've put thought into selecting something the recipient can wear and cherish. When it's zodiac-specific, it demonstrates even more consideration and cultural awareness. Horse jewelry comes in many forms—delicate pendants, statement rings, elegant bracelets, charm bracelets, earrings, or brooches. You can choose something subtle for everyday wear or bold for special occasions, matching the recipient's personal style.
4. Year of the Horse candy box
Candy boxes offer an excellent value, allowing you to give multiple gifts without breaking the budget. They're perfect when you need to give gifts to many people—coworkers, neighbors, teachers, or extended family members. Image courtesy of Sugarfina.
Candy and sweets symbolize wishes for a sweet, joyful year ahead. Giving a candy box is literally sharing your hopes that the recipient's coming year will be filled with happiness and pleasant moments. A specially designed Year of the Horse candy box captures the festive spirit of the holiday. The themed packaging makes it feel special and intentional, showing you've chosen something specifically for the Lunar New Year celebration rather than a generic gift.
Candy boxes are meant to be opened and shared with family, friends, and guests who visit during the holiday period. This aligns beautifully with Lunar New Year's emphasis on togetherness, hospitality, and community. Year of the Horse candy boxes often feature elegant red and gold packaging with horse motifs, making them visually stunning. The beautiful presentation means they can be given as-is without additional wrapping.
5. Year of the Horse home decor items
Give this Lunar New Year gift that they can showcase in their homes for years to come
Beautiful decor pieces naturally draw attention and spark conversations when guests visit, allowing hosts to share the significance of the Year of the Horse and their Lunar New Year traditions. Image courtesy of Etsy.
Horse-themed decor allows recipients to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse in their living space all year long. It creates a daily reminder of the new year's energy and the positive qualities associated with the horse zodiac. Since the horse represents confidence, independence, vitality, and forward momentum, displaying horse decor in the home invites these auspicious qualities into the household, promoting success and progress for everyone who lives there.
Decorative items help transform a home for the Lunar New Year celebration, creating the right ambiance for welcoming guests, hosting family gatherings, and honoring traditions. They show that the household is participating fully in the holiday spirit. Unlike consumable gifts that disappear quickly, home decor items remain visible and useful for years. Every time the recipient sees the piece, they'll think of you and the special occasion when they received it.
If someone has recently moved or is setting up a new home, zodiac decor helps them establish their space with culturally meaningful pieces that bring good fortune to their fresh start.
6. Premium tea set
A new set of tea is a great way to celebrate the Lunar New Year
Quality tea sets, especially those made from porcelain, ceramic, or Yixing clay, last for decades with proper care. They become treasured heirlooms that can be passed down through generations. Image courtesy of The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.
Tea has been central to Chinese culture for thousands of years, representing hospitality, respect, and refinement. Giving a tea set honors this deep cultural heritage and shows your appreciation for tradition. The ritual of preparing and sharing tea promotes tranquility, mindfulness, and connection. A tea set encourages moments of calm reflection and quality time with loved ones—perfect intentions for starting a new year.
A premium tea set transforms an everyday activity into something special. It encourages the recipient to slow down, savor the moment, and practice self-care, making it both a practical and wellness-oriented gift.Tea offers numerous health benefits, from antioxidants to digestive support. Giving a tea set shows you care about the recipient's wellbeing and wish them good health in the coming year. A tea set can be paired beautifully with premium loose-leaf teas, creating a complete gift package. You can customize the tea selection based on the recipient's preferences—green, oolong, pu-erh, or specialty blends.
7. Fruit baskets
Fresh, seasonal fruit represents renewal and new beginnings—perfect for welcoming a new year. The natural sweetness and vitality of fruit embodies hopes for a fresh, abundant year ahead. Image courtesy of Gift Hampers Macau.
Different fruits carry specific auspicious meanings in Chinese culture. Oranges and tangerines symbolize luck and wealth, apples represent peace and safety, pomelos signify prosperity, and pears can represent reunion when given appropriately. A thoughtfully arranged fruit basket conveys multiple blessings at once. Fruit baskets are one of the most classic and universally accepted Lunar New Year gifts. They've been exchanged for generations, making them a safe and respectful choice that honors tradition without risk of cultural misstep.
Giving fresh fruit conveys wishes for good health and vitality in the coming year. After the indulgent holiday feasting, fruit offers a refreshing, nutritious option that shows you care about the recipient's wellbeing. When beautifully arranged with vibrant colors—especially the lucky red and gold hues of oranges and tangerines—fruit baskets create an impressive visual display. They add festive decoration to the home while being practical and consumable.
8. Year of the Horse skin care set
Make self-care a part of the new year!
Skin care sets blend traditional Lunar New Year gifting customs with contemporary wellness culture, making them ideal for recipients who appreciate both honoring tradition and embracing modern self-care practices. Image courtesy of Lush.
Skin care represents self-care, rejuvenation, and starting fresh—perfect symbolism for a new year. Giving a skin care set conveys your wishes that the recipient will flourish, feel confident, and present their best self in the year ahead. A specially designed Year of the Horse skin care set shows you've chosen something timely and thoughtful. The themed packaging and limited-edition nature make it feel special and collectible, marking this particular Lunar New Year celebration.
Quality skin care encourages daily rituals of self-nurturing and wellness. It's a gift that shows you care about the recipient's wellbeing and want them to prioritize taking care of themselves throughout the year. Skin care occupies that sweet spot between indulgent and useful. It feels like a treat—something many people wouldn't splurge on for themselves—while being something they'll actually use daily, maximizing both impact and appreciation.
9. Horse-themed bag charm
This little charm can be clipped to all kinds of everyday items
From teenagers to professionals to retirees, bag charms have universal appeal. They work across different lifestyles and fashion preferences, making them a safe choice for various recipients. Image courtesy of Buddha Stone.
A bag charm allows the recipient to carry the Year of the Horse's auspicious energy wherever they go. It's a constant reminder of good fortune, confidence, and forward momentum that travels with them daily. Bag charms offer excellent value—they're budget-friendly while still feeling special and intentional. This makes them perfect when you need to give to multiple people or want to give something meaningful without overspending.
Bag charms add personality and flair to everyday items like purses, backpacks, luggage, or keychains. They're a fun way for recipients to express themselves while incorporating the festive spirit into their personal style. The Chinese phrase "Ma Dao Cheng Gong" (success upon arrival) is associated with horses, making horse charms particularly potent symbols for achieving goals and reaching destinations successfully in the new year.
Which of these Lunar New Year gifts will you hand out this year?
Whether you choose timeless traditions like red envelopes and tea sets or embrace modern touches with zodiac jewelry or digital gift cards, the best Lunar New Year gift is one given with genuine warmth and good intentions.
