Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Digital Red Envelopes

Every January, people roll out the red carpet for the Lunar New Year. Glowing lanterns and dancing dragons flood the streets while fireworks blast off bad omens and make way for good luck and prosperity.

Amidst these festive celebrations, another tradition takes place between family and friends, albeit more quietly: Lunar New Year red envelopes.

It's an age-old custom of giving money for good luck. And this year, you can join in too by sending a digital red envelope. We'll show you how to gift your auspicious sum and wish the recipient much Kung Hei Fat Choy, or prosperity, with Pool.

Contents:

• When is Lunar New Year?
• What is a Pool?
• What are digital red envelopes?
• 3 fun facts about Lunar New Year red envelopes
• How to organize a Lunar New Year gift fund with Pool
• How much money should you put in a red envelope?
• How to manage Lunar New Year gifting with Pool

When is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, or one day after the first new moon of the year. In 2027, that day is January 29th — which means you have ample time to set up and gift your digital red envelope(s) with Pool.

What is a Pool?

A Pool is an effortless way to collect, manage, and send money with friends and family. Pools can be used for one-off gifts, like digital red envelopes, and ongoing shared expenses.

After creating a Pool at Poolmoney.com, you can invite others to join. Your group pays directly into the Pool, and that's where your shared money lives until you send it as a digital red envelope.

What are digital red packets?

Digital red packets are just another way of saying digital red envelopes. Both contain good luck money and are given as an auspicious gift for the Lunar New Year.

3 fun facts about red envelopes

Are red envelopes new to you? Feel more confident participating in this long-standing custom with these three fun facts:

1. Traditionally, elders give red envelopes to younger family members. But nowadays, you can give them to friends and colleagues, too.
2. Before mobile apps, people placed crisp new bills in red envelopes because old, wrinkly bills were considered unlucky. With Pool, you don't have to worry about that — red envelope money is digital.
3. Why red? In Chinese culture, this color symbolizes energy, happiness, and good luck. You'll get to keep this tradition going with Pool. We'll show you how below.

Do banks give out red envelopes?

Throughout Asian countries, banks provide red envelopes for free. However, this is less common in the U.S. But that shouldn't stop you. As finances have expanded into the digital space, so have red envelopes. On Lunar New Year's Eve 2024, WeChat users received over 5 billion digital red envelopes — a testament to how deeply the tradition has gone digital.

Here, you can send lucky money to anyone in the U.S. with Pool. It's a modern take on an age-old tradition that feels just as festive.

How to create a digital red envelope with Pool

Would you like to send someone lucky money this Lunar New Year? It's easy — it takes 5 minutes or less to set up a festive Pool that contributors will enjoy adding money to. From choosing your own color theme to adding images, creating a digital red envelope is fun.

Add an image to the Pool

Give your Pool a special touch by including a fitting image or photo, such as the following festive suggestions:

• Goat: Every new year is characterized by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. 2027 is marked by the Goat, a symbol of calm, creativity, and kindness.
• Dragons: These fiery creatures are said to scare off evil spirits and ward off bad omens.
• Lunar New Year imagery: Lanterns, fireworks, etc.

Your Pool is always free, flexible, and separate from other accounts — and ready to serve as a digital red envelope:

• Free. Pool never takes a percentage of your Pool funds, and you never pay for your Pool.
• Flexible. There are no deadlines — you can keep your Pool open as long as you want.
• Separate. Pool funds are collected in a dedicated place and never mixed with personal bank accounts.

How to collect money for your red envelope

Once you set up your Pool, collect money from everyone in your group by customizing and sharing your Pool with others. To invite members, simply fill in their email. Once they sign up at poolmoney.com they can contribute to the Pool with a linked bank account.

How much money do you put in red envelopes for the Lunar New Year?

The amount usually depends on your relationship with the recipient. If you're unsure, consider these guidelines:

• For children: $5, $10, or $20
• For close friends or colleagues: $10 to $30
• For parents or grandparents: $100 to $300
• For employees: $20 to $200

Just be sure to never include the number "4" in the final sum. In Chinese, the pronunciation of "four" sounds similar to their word for death. On the other hand, amounts with "8" are always welcome — this number is said to bring good luck and prosperity.

How to gift your Pool for the Lunar New Year

After collecting everyone's contributions, it's easy to gift your Pool to friends and family. You can invite them to your Pool and let them spend the funds with the Pool debit card or transfer the money into a bank account.

You might even try to wow them by including an auspicious phrase, like:

• Worldwide peace: 天下太平 / tiān xià tài píng
• Longevity and fortune: 千秋万岁 / qiān qiū wàn suì
• Lucky money: 紅包 / hong bao

Would you like to participate in this special Lunar New Year tradition and send a digital red envelope? Pool makes it easy to collect and send a lucky sum of money and your best wishes for a prosperous new year.