Red Envelope
In Chinese society, a red envelope or red packet (Known as Hong Bao in Mandarin, Ang Pao in Fukien and Lai See in Cantonese) is a monetary gift which is given during holidays or special occasions.
Red envelopes are mainly presented at social and family gatherings such as Chinese weddings or on holidays such as the Chinese New Year. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits.
The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, for instance 88, 168 are both lucky numbers, as odd numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. At weddings, the amount offered is usually intended to cover the cost of the attendees as well as a goodwill to the newly weds.
During Chinese New Year, mainly in South China, red envelopes (in the north, just money without any cover) are typically given to the unmarried by the married, regardless of age. Traditionally, the red envelope is not supposed to be opened until Chinese New Year is over; otherwise, bad luck would befall you for the whole year.
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www.redenvelope.com/
I am always impressed when a company/site adopts a symbolic name and then makes it stand out from other companies/names with its own niche marketing. I loved the J. Peterman catalogue concept and his careful selection of the offerings in the catalogue and the romantic descriptions he would develop for each of them. Unfortunately, J Peterman seemed convinced that after his solid start and growing customer base there was no top to his customers buying ever more fanciful goods at outlandish prices. He went bankrupt. (Granted, he's back now in partnership with someone else but I don't even open his catalogue anymore when it arrives)
Red envelope began with products true to their adopted name and I shopped there a lot! I bought framed three leaf clovers and sterling silver keys to unlock prosperity and a money tree (plant) that is actually still growing. And............now they are just like everybody else. Once they gave up their niche they gave up me as a customer too. Well, they still sell the money tree but I already have one and two seems greedy.
money tree in bamboo pot
The leafy-green money tree is both a beautiful home accent and an age-old token of good luck. Many Feng Shui masters recommend keeping one in the home or office as an invitation to good fortune. Its sculptural braided trunk is beautifully offset by the natural bamboo pot. Exclusively from RedEnvelope.
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