How much ang-pow (red packet) should I give? This is a common question during the season of the Chinese New Year as well as other auspicious occasions like weddings or birthday celebrations for the elderly. Someone recently asked if one would be considered a cheapskate by giving a RM2 ang-pow in today’s world. I too struggled with that for years. Having a proper perspective of this tradition liberated me.
Why do we have the tradition of giving ang-pow? There are many stories regarding this tradition of blessing.
One of it dates back to a legend during the Qin Dynasty. According to that legend, a demon named Sui would appear on the eve of the Lunar New Year and cursed the children with illness or misfortune. A couple prayed for the safety of their newborn child and eight fairies transformed into coins to protect the child. These coins were then wrapped in red paper and placed under the child’s pillow to ward off the demon, Sui. With the defeat of Sui, parents then began giving coins wrapped in red paper to ward off evil. This evolved into the modern tradition of giving ang-pow.
Another legend tells of the joyous birth of Emperor Xuanzong's son during the Tang Dynasty. The emperor gifted his concubine with gold and silver coins to be used as charms to protect the baby. Subsequently, the people adopted this practice of giving money to their children as gifts.
To me, the giving of these red packets reminds of a few things. The colour red is a symbol of happiness, prosperity and life. So, when I give out these red packets, I am wishing all my recipients happiness, prosperity and a good life. Just as I am blessed in my life, I take this traditional practice to bless others as well.
I went through the dilemma of deciding the amount to give as a young married lady. As decades evolved, I am more at peace with my choices of the amount and recipients of ang-pows. I choose to bless others while I am alive and I still can. The amount to me is irrelevant as I feel that my heart’s intention outweighs that.
So, why is there the struggle of how much to give? Maybe, as adults, we have been unconsciously sucked into the mentality of keeping up with the Joneses. We feel that there is a minimum amount to ‘save face’.
When it comes to determining the amount, we rationalize and ask ourselves, “How much can this RM5 buy?” With inflation and the rising cost of living, we really cannot do much with RM5 or RM10. So, am I a cheapskate when I give a small ang-pow? To me, the answer is “No” because I am just choosing to bless someone out from the bottom of my heart.
Decades ago, ang-pows could be mere 20 cents coins or RM2 notes. Today, many who have retired and not earning are still sharing their blessings. So, we have to appreciate their sincere gesture of blessing us with whatever amount.
So, how much ang-pow should I give? Give cheerfully according to your means with a clear conscience. There is no right or wrong amount even though there are many suggested amounts in various portals.
Indeed God has blessed us to be blessings to others as well!
24 Feb 2026
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Mei Wong (mwrejoice@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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