22 Best Lunar New Year Gifts

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In 2023, the Lunar New Year starts on January 22, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit. Observers traditionally celebrate with family reunions and dinners.

Also known as Chinese New Year, it is a two-week event, ending with the Lantern Festival on February 5. It is also celebrated by Koreans (Seollal), Vietnamese (Tet), Tibetans (Losar), Mongolians (Tsagaan Sar), and others. There may be cultural differences, but they all share similar values that anybody can take part in. In addition, Chinese New Year is a two-week event, ending with the Lantern Festival on February 5.

Although gifting isn't a significant part of the event, there is the giving of money-filled red envelopes, often from adults to children, which signify the bestowing of good fortune. Otherwise, gifting tends to revolve around small meaningful items, such as fruit (oranges, in particular) and candy. Even if you don't celebrate, we've curated a list of fun gifts to mark the year of the rabbit.

Harry & David Triple Treat Deluxe Fruit

Oranges are considered symbols of good luck and are often given as gifts during Lunar New Year. Tangerines, mandarins, apples, pears, and most other fruits also make great gifts.

Lego Lunar New Year Display

A fun way for Lego fans to celebrate the Lunar New Year — dismantle and rebuild it every year. Small features represent the important aspects of the occasion.

Swarovski Lucky Cat Ornament

If you're celebrating Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, then it's the year of the cat, not the rabbit (the rabbit isn't part of the Vietnamese version of the zodiac). Fortunately, there are plenty of lucky cat items to choose from.

Sugarfina Lunar Garden New Year 2-Piece Candy Bento Box

Pearl River Mart Lunar New Year Lucky Foods Carryout Box

You'll often see trays of candy set out during Chinese New Year celebrations. It's a hit with kids, naturally.

"Every Grain of Rice" by Fuchsia Dunlop

"Vietnamese Food Any Day" by Andrea Nguyen

"Korean Home Cooking" by Sohui Kim

Asian families who celebrate the Lunar New Year will cook big meals at home. Make a few authentic dishes using recipes from one of these terrific books on Asian cookery.

Pat McGrath Labs Venus in Fleurs Luxe Eyeshadow Quad

This special-edition compact from Pat McGrath Labs' Lunar New Year collection includes four eyeshadows, buildable in matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes.

Holiday Lane Lunar New Year Plush Rabbit with Bib

The year of the rabbit lends itself to a variety of cute bunny-centric products, like this stuffed toy that's perfect for kids or kids at heart.

Harney & Sons Lunar New Year 2023 Tea

Tea Drunk Year of the Rabbit Sampler

Tea drinking is a revered tradition in Asia, and you'll find oolong tea served during the New Year. For its 2023 Lunar New Year blend, Harney took inspiration from the "nian gao" sweet rice cake that's eaten around this time, with hints of caramel, sesame, and coconut. Or, try Tea Drunk's Year of the Rabbit sampler, which includes four varieties that are sourced from the tea-growing regions in China.

Fly By Jing Soup Dumpling Starter Pack

Dumplings (jiaoxi in Mandarin Chinese) are eaten during Chinese New Year because they symbolize wealth (reminiscent of gold ingots used in imperial China). Get these from Fly By Jing, which includes their popular chili crisp. Be sure to pair everything with noodles for longevity.

Pok Pok Playroom

This educational app uses play as a way to teach. A recent update added a Lunar New Year component that teaches kids about the traditions and foods of this celebration.

Kurt Geiger Rabbit Charm Keyring

Lunar New Year celebrations happen just once, but the year of the rabbit lasts the whole year (until the dragon enters in 2024). Among many things, the rabbit symbolizes intellect and the ability to turn misfortunes around. Attach this lucky charm to your bag or keys for prosperity and cuteness.

Zwilling Staub 6-quart Round Cocotte with Rabbit Knob

While this may look like a typical Staub cast iron pot, there's a knob in the shape of a rabbit to add some Lunar New Year whimsy to your cookware. If you don't own a wok, a cast iron vessel is a nice alternative for stir-fried foods. Plus: Blue is also considered a lucky color, especially when paired with green.

NARS Lunar New Year Brush Set

You'll see a lot of red during the Lunar New Year, and that's because the color symbolizes good fortune. These red-handle makeup brushes come with a matching case, bringing good luck and health into your well-being whenever you use them.

Whee! Noodles

Noodles are often served during the Lunar New Year as they represent longevity. The Chinese dish is called just that, Longevity Noodles, which is often made with egg noodles. Try a Japanese twist: Use buckwheat noodles in a soup called Toshikoshi Soba or New Year's Eve Soba. For those who have gone plant-based, check out these options from Immi.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Rabbit Edition

Alcohol is symbolic in that it represents good health and longevity. Although not Asian in origin, Johnnie Walker's Blue Label blended Scotch whisky is popular during banquets and other celebrations. If you can't get hold of the Year of the Rabbit edition, the regular Blue Label will still be a hit.

Our Place Rice Bowl Set

Trendy home goods purveyor Our Place has a set of four rice bowls with a custom design — part of its limited-edition Year of the Rabbit collection that also includes a red version of its Instagram-famous Always Pan and Perfect Pot. This bowl set comes with four pairs of chopsticks and four chopstick rests.

Lalique Toulouse Rabbit Sculpture in Pink Crystal

This resting rabbit is a splurge, but what you get is a beautiful glass art piece that you can display after the celebrations are over. The pink version is limited to 188 pieces, while other colors are more affordable ($650).

IKEA Fössta Red Rabbit Doormat

IKEA has a limited-edition series of home goods called Fössta that's all about the year of the rabbit. This doormat is a fun way to greet guests throughout the year. The collection won't be restocked, so grab them soon.

See's Candies Lunar New Year Assorted Chocolates

Chocolates and cookies are often given during the Lunar New Year. This box from renowned California chocolate maker See's has a nice assortment.

Rooted Money Plant

Even if you aren't planning a celebration you can still partake in some low-key traditions, like growing a Chinese money plant, also known as pilea peperomioides.

Tsingtao (12-pack)

Sanzo Sampler

This crisp, German-style lager from China goes surprisingly well with not just Chinese and Asian cuisines but Western ones, too. And green is a lucky color that symbolizes wealth, health, and harmony.

For a nonalcoholic refreshment, Sanzo has four Asian-inspired flavored sparkling water. If you can't pick one, try the sampler pack.

Sông Cái Dry Gin

A gin made from heirloom Vietnamese ingredients and distillery equipment, Sông Cái offers a spirit that's uniquely different from traditional gin. Mix it with tonic water and it's a great way to ring in Tet.

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