14 Best Chinese New Year Gifts In 2025 To Greet The Auspicious Year Of The Snake
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Tet, is a time of joy, tradition, and renewal celebrated across many Asian cultures. Chinese New Year festivities will begin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, marking the start of the Lunar New Year celebrations. This special occasion is steeped in customs, feasts, and the cherished tradition of gift-giving. The best Lunar New Year gifts often symbolize good fortune, abundance, and prosperity, making items like food, plants, and red envelopes filled with money particularly meaningful. Classic choices include oranges, symbolic charms, and gifts adorned in auspicious red and gold. However, it’s wise to avoid items such as sharp objects, timepieces, or those in the color white, as they may carry unintended connotations.
To welcome the Year of the Snake with joy and excitement, we’ve curated 14 thoughtful Lunar New Year gift ideas that capture the spirit of the celebration. We hope these picks would be perfect for embracing the traditions of this joyous season.
Pineapple Tarts With A Twist
Pineapple tarts are an indispensable treat for Chinese New Year, and Kele, Singapore's beloved homegrown confectionery, has mastered the art of these festive delights. Renowned for their classic pineapple balls and open-faced tarts, Kele adds a charming and unique twist this year with their pastel-pink Rose Pineapple Tarts. The signature milky tart base is delicately infused with organic rose powder, sourced from Yunnan's picturesque mountains. Each tart, a generously sized disc, offers a subtle buttery flavor that perfectly complements the tangy-sweet pineapple jam. While slightly less crumbly than traditional tarts, their lighter texture provides a delightful balance to the vibrant filling.
Image credit: Kele
Delicious Egg Tarts To Wow Your Relatives
We were thrilled to welcome Oriental Kopi from Johor Bahru to Singapore, and our excitement was well worth the one-hour queue when they first opened in Bugis! Known for its signature Oriental Egg Tart, this delightful treat boasts an impressively thick crust with 128 flaky layers, meticulously crafted to perfection at 6mm thick. Each bite is a harmonious blend of crisp, buttery layers and rich, creamy custard, making it an indulgence that’s hard to resist. Perfect as a dessert to pamper your taste buds during your Chinese New Year celebrations, these egg tarts add a touch of elegance and sweetness to any festive meal. Whether you’re treating family or guests, Oriental Kopi’s famed delicacy will impress and leave everyone craving more.
Image credit: Middleclass.sg
Chewy Nian Gao Sweet Glutinous Rice Cakes
Nian gao, or “sticky cake,” may appear modest at first glance—a soft, mildly sweet treat made from rice flour. Yet, its simplicity is what makes it extraordinary. Steeped in folklore, nian gao was said to ward off monsters and even silence ancient kitchen gods with its stickiness, preventing them from sharing housewives’ secrets. Tai Chong Kok has upheld tradition since 1935, crafting nian gao and other Cantonese pastries entirely by hand, preserving their authenticity. For a standout gift, choose nian gao in classic string-tied brown paper. Prefer something modern? Visit Momolato cafe at 723 North Bridge Road for nian gao waffles from the second day of Chinese New Year (Thursday, 30 January, 2025).
Image credit: The (Parenthetical) Pilgrim
Singapore’s Best Gelato Ice Cream & Ice Cream Cakes For Prosperous Chinese New Gifts
Celebrate Chinese New Year with Momolato’s Ruby Peach Harmony Gelato Ice Cream. Delicately crafted, this festive vegan ice cream features floral peach sorbet infused with the subtle fragrance of osmanthus, a flower revered for its auspicious connotations. Bursting with vibrant diced raspberries, it delivers a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and texture. Symbolizing "ruby fortune," this gelato ice cream embodies wishes for abundance, prosperity, and joy in the year ahead. Thoughtfully designed, it’s more than just a dessert — it’s a heartfelt gesture perfect for gifting. The luxurious presentation and rich flavors make it an ideal choice for sharing blessings with friends, family, or business associates during Chinese New Year.
We have also created another gelato flavor for your Chinese New Year gifting pleasure - Red Date Royale Gelato Ice Cream. Velvety black sugar gelato, infused with a smoky caramel essence, is masterfully folded with sweet red dates—a cherished symbol of prosperity arriving early. Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of richness and sweetness, offering an indulgent experience that resonates with the spirit of Chinese New Year.
We also hope that you’d enjoy our luxurious ingot-shape gelato ice cream cake for prosperity and joy in the Year of the Snake. Our exquisite ingot-shaped gelato ice cream cake is the Golden Mango Treasure Ice Cream Cake. Crafted with care and precision, this dessert is not only a feast for the palate but also a meaningful symbol of wealth and prosperity. Shaped like the traditional "yuan bao," a Chinese ingot, it carries cultural significance, making it a perfect addition to any festive gathering.
For Maximum “Wok Hey” During Chinese New Year Celebrations
Infuse your Chinese New Year meals with the irresistible flavor of authentic “wok hey” by gifting your mum the Yosukata Black Carbon Steel Wok Pan. Renowned for its exceptional heat retention and distribution, this wok ensures perfectly cooked dishes brimming with rich, smoky flavors. Durable and easy to maintain, it’s an ideal kitchen companion for stir-frying, steaming, and more. Its sleek design and superior functionality make it a thoughtful and practical gift for the festive season. Bring home this culinary essential and let your mum create unforgettable dishes that will delight the entire family during your Lunar New Year celebrations.
Image credit: Yosukata
A Chinese New Year Gift Box Of Sweet And Juicy Oranges To Wish Them Joy
Mandarin oranges hold a cherished place in Chinese New Year traditions, symbolizing prosperity, good fortune, and abundance. Among the various varieties available, Ponkan mandarins stand out as a popular gifting choice for Lunar New Year. These exceptional fruits are notably large, measuring 7 to 8 cm across, with a plump and vibrant appearance that exudes festivity. Renowned for their sweet yet tangy flavor and juicy, succulent texture, they offer the perfect balance of size and taste, making them a delightful addition to any celebration.
For a modern twist, Momolato infuses the festive spirit of Ponkan mandarins into our Young Coconut Mandarin Orange Ice Cream Popsicles. These handcrafted treats blend the creamy richness of young coconut with the refreshing zest of mandarin oranges, creating a uniquely indulgent dessert. Bursting with fresh fruit flavors, these popsicles embody the joy and abundance of the season, making them a thoughtful and delicious gift. Perfectly suited for Chinese New Year gifting, they are a luxurious way to share blessings and bring smiles to friends and family.
A Bag Of Traditional Chews That Taste Creamy And Sweet
Delight your loved ones this Chinese New Year with the iconic White Rabbit candy, a nostalgic treat cherished across generations in Singapore. Wrapped in its signature red, blue, and white packaging and encased in delicate, edible rice paper, each candy delivers a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth indulgence. Its rich, milky flavor and smooth texture evoke fond memories, making it a perfect addition to festive celebrations. Beyond enjoying it as a classic sweet, White Rabbit candy can also be transformed into delightful milk puddings — a creative and delicious way to impress your guests this season.
Too busy with Chinese New Year gifting and festivities to enjoy some good pudding? Let Momolato take care of you! Visit our cozy café to savor handcrafted pudding and our artisanal gelato, crafted with love and attention to detail. Celebrate the season with pudding, gelato, honey toast, and many other dessert treats, available starting Thursday, January 30, 2025. Share the joy of Lunar New Year with indulgent desserts that bring tradition and innovation together.
Image credit: Tashcakes.com
Creamy Cheese Platter
Add a savory twist to your Chinese New Year festivities with The Cheese Shop’s Let’s Get Cheesy Party Platter. Established in 2014 by Christopher Moores, this delightful fromagerie is located in the vibrant Peranakan neighborhood of Joo Chiat. While cheese might not be the traditional go-to for Lunar New Year celebrations, it brings a refreshing and creative touch to the festive table. Perfect for gatherings, this carefully curated platter offers a harmonious blend of flavors that pair wonderfully with traditional treats. For a truly memorable experience, we recommend enjoying the cheese alongside preserved hawthorn sweets — a pairing that beautifully balances sweet and savory notes for an unforgettable celebration.
Image credit: The Cheese Shop
Singapore Kopi Siew Dai Cookies
Bettr Coffee, a proudly homegrown specialty coffee brand established in 2011, has been redefining the coffee experience in Singapore. Known for its professional beverage education programs and exceptional specialty coffee offerings for retail and wholesale, Bettr Coffee embodies a passion for quality and sustainability. This Chinese New Year, elevate your celebrations with the indulgent “gao” Kopi Siew Dai cookies, perfectly paired with rich, aromatic coffee — especially from Bettr Coffee. For coffee enthusiasts among your loved ones, consider gifting a bag of their award-winning blends. For Chinese New Year gifting, we’re particularly fond of Homebound, a beautifully balanced coffee featuring notes of prune, caramel cashew, and malty chocolate.
Image credit: Bettr Coffee
Singapore Nanyang Tea
While Nanyang coffee often takes center stage in Singapore’s rich culinary culture, have you explored the equally remarkable Nanyang tea? This distinctive blend is a tribute to local tastes, skillfully crafted and roasted to perfection. Featuring a harmonious combination of fragrant Anxi oolongs and bold Wuyi teas from Fujian, China, Nanyang tea offers a nuanced flavor profile that pairs beautifully with traditional delights.
Pek Sin Choon, a heritage tea merchant since 1925, exemplifies this time-honored tradition. Known for its premium-quality teas and nostalgic retro packaging, it’s the perfect gift to delight ah gongs, ah mahs, and relatives during Chinese New Year. Nanyang tea embodies warmth and hospitality, making it an excellent choice for festive gatherings. For tea connoisseurs, we recommend Sin Choon Shuixian, a celebrated oolong variety admired for its rich aroma and smooth taste. We have used other variants of oolong tea from Pek Sin Choon for our Himalayan Osmanthus Mango Passionfruit Gelato Ice Cream, and we are in love with their tea varieties. Whether you’re a loyal Nanyang coffee enthusiast or seeking a new indulgence, Nanyang tea is a must-try experience that captures the essence of Singaporean heritage.
Image credit: Pek Sin Choon
Prebiotic Soda Good For Your Guts
Embellish your Chinese New Year refreshments with POPPI Sparkling Raspberry Rose soda, a Nutri-Grade B option that’s a refreshing alternative to traditional F&N and Coke. Known for its unique flavors, low sugar content, and prebiotic health benefits, Poppi offers a delightful twist to your festive beverages. And as a bonus, its charming pink hue adds a touch of elegance to your celebrations.
Image credit: POPPI
A Celebratory Outfit For Your Furkids
Who says your pet can’t celebrate in style? Let your furry friend join the festivities with an elegant yet adorable lucky lion suit designed just for them. Crafted from vibrantly dyed cotton, this festive costume is adorned with a traditional Chinese dish flower buckle and features plush lining to keep your pet cozy while they bask in the Chinese New Year cheer
Therapeutic Workshop To Calm Chinese New Year Nerves
Preparing for Chinese New Year and reconnecting with relatives can occasionally feel overwhelming, making moments of calm and creativity all the more valuable. Enter Chokmah, a modern and sustainable lifestyle brand dedicated to fostering community through the power of creativity. Known for their thoughtfully curated workshops, Chokmah offers a perfect escape to recharge and express yourself. We particularly love their Forever Bloom Acrylic Oblong Trinket Holder Workshop, where you can craft a lasting keepsake, and highly recommend their Terrazzo Collection Coaster Workshop for a blend of artistry and functionality. These therapeutic experiences are not only calming but also a delightful way to embrace sustainable, creative living.
Easy Care Money Tree Plants For A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025
Pachira aquatica, commonly known as the Money Tree, is a cherished houseplant in Feng Shui, celebrated for its association with good luck and financial prosperity. Hardy and low-maintenance, it thrives with minimal care, making it an excellent gift for Lunar New Year 2024, the Year of the Snake. Symbolizing growth, abundance, and positive energy, the Money Tree embodies the essence of the festive season.
For friends and family seeking a dash of good fortune in the coming year, this plant is more than just a decorative item — it’s a meaningful gesture of well-wishing. Its vibrant green leaves and sturdy braided trunk signify resilience and the promise of a prosperous future. To elevate its festive appeal, consider adorning the Money Tree with red envelopes or miniature ornaments, turning it into a centerpiece of blessings and abundance that will brighten homes and hearts during the celebrations.
