This year, I have my red envelopes ready but I am still undecided on how much money to put into them. Is there a market rate for ang pows? Min RMx per ang pow? Do you give your relatives a different amount than your friends' children?
For those mothers with children receiving ang pows, do you let your children keep the ang pows themselves with the freedom of using the money anyway they like or do you save their ang pows for them for their education?
When I was young and on the receiving end, my parents allowed me the freedom to use my ang pow money anyway I like and I usually buy books with the money. Now that I am on the giving end, I just need to think of how much to give.
Some people said to me, you are on the losing end because you have no children to receive ang pows, you can only give out money but not receive so you should have children. Have children just to receive ang pows!?
Can you spot the rabbits in each of the ang pow below?
it is not the amount that matters, but the wishes that comes with it. it is just a kind gesture of giving a blessing.
ReplyDeletehence if others was to complaint about the amount of $$$, it is their lesson to learn that angpow does not equate to money. It is not the money that counts, but the blessings received - for a better year, better health, better opportunities and wellness all around.
when and how they will learn it is beyond our control. Our role is only to do what is true to us, in the heart. :)
Thank you, Gerry for your very wise words. I learn more and more from you everyday from your journaling truth website. :)
ReplyDelete*rub hands* na na na... Dun care abt what u give to others ah, my kids must get at least 10 bucks each one ah.... Heh!
ReplyDeleteHi mun, I am glad to know that you have benefited from the scribblings in JT.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and and your family. :)
Gargles, ah, does this mean you are inviting me to your house for CNY? ;)
ReplyDeleteGerryMoon, blessings to you and your family too. :)
This will be the 3rd year where I will be celebrating CNY in London. I think it is important to instil the value of money in children so personally, if I had kids, I would discourage against receiving large amounts of ang pow money. Chinese New Year is a time to reflect on our achievements and be grateful for what we have been given. It is also a time to treasure the bond between family members and also renew old ties with friends and relatives we have not met for a while. This is the message I feel should be spread. Not encouraging children to rip open their red packets and see how much they have made during the festive season. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts with me, miracle8. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's my own family tradition that I give angpow to all younger unmarried siblings and cousins, nephews and nieces even though I'm not around. I normally go back to hometown on 3rd/4th day of CNY and by then many of them already left hometown. So every year (for the past 3 years) I asked my mum to prepare the angpow and give to all. Hassle free for me. Hehe!
ReplyDeleteYour mother is so helpful! But does she ask you how much to put into those angpow or do you leave it all up to her?
ReplyDeleteI told her how much to put...but that amount is the standard amount for everyone in the family. Hehe! My mum just told me how much total I need to give her back. Haha!
ReplyDeleteYour mother is really too nice for words. :)
ReplyDeleteHi mun, dropping by your blog. Are you really older than 38? i mean, you look so young in your profile pic.. hahah, no offence intended.
ReplyDeleteanyway, i normally pack rm5 for the small ones, and closer relatives like immediate family get much much much more. also depends on how much their parents give to my kids, and i return the same. no point giving RM50/child when the other party give only RM10/child to u, it's a lost making biz then... haha! but i hear of some "lucky" friends who used to get angpows from their parents in thousands?!!! what the???!! my daddy never gave me that much! hahaha
anyway, if kids are young, better parents save for them in bank account, jst note down how much lor.
Thanks Irene for dropping by here and sharing with us your normal practices on angpow giving. Yes, I am going to be 40 this year (no offence taken) :)
ReplyDelete