Quirky red packets for Chinese New Year 2019
Image adapted from (clockwise from top-left): @mochibuddies, @studio.saturday, The Peppy Curator, The Peppy Curator
When we think of Chinese New Year, one of the first few things that come to mind is angbaos – because who doesn’t love receiving money? It’s an added bonus if the red packets look pretty. Not only can a funky angbao design act as a conversation starter with that relative you haven’t met in a while, but it can also make the receiver extra happy no matter how much $$ is in the packet.
Here’s where you can get unique angbaos in Singapore at reasonable prices:
P.S. Read our other CNY-related articles for 2019 here:
- Affordable modern cheongsams from blogshops in Singapore
- New card games for big CNY gatherings
- Underrated bakeries to get CNY goodies from in the North
- Mala chips to stock up on for CNY
- Zodiac gift guide for 2019
1. Daiso – wide variety of sizes
Daiso – everyone’s favourite $2 store – never fails to stock up on special seasonal items during holidays like Christmas and Halloween. And this CNY, they’ve added red packets to their collection of items.
Image credit: Giordan Neoh
The packets come in many sizes for you to choose from – such as long rectangles and small squares. Along with different CNY elements like fortune cats and little pigs, these colourful angbaos still have a touch of festive even though most of them aren’t red.
Price: $2 per packet
Find Daiso’s full list of outlets here.
2. The Peppy Curator – pig-themed
Image credit: The Peppy Curator
It’s the year of the pig and what better way to usher it in than with pig-themed angbaos? The Peppy Curator takes it up a notch with 4 different sets of piggy red packet designs.
Image adapted from: The Peppy Curator, The Peppy Curator
Some of them even have well wishes printed on them for extra huat.
Image credit: The Peppy Curator
Price: From $1.60 per packet
Website
3. Mochi Buddies – chibi animals
Image credit: @mochibuddies
Mochi Buddies usually makes cute cartoon animal brooches and keychains, but this CNY, they’ve printed their adorable characters on red packets. The characters featured are also decked up in festive clothes and holding mandarin oranges, making sure whoever receives the angbaos will be blessed with luck.
Limited edition CNY brooches and stickers
Image credit: Mochi Buddies, Mochi Buddies
Price: From $2.80 per packet
Website
4. Studio Saturday – well-wishes in calligraphy font
Image credit: @studio.saturday
If you’re a sucker for items with calligraphy font, Studio Saturday’s angbaos will be right up your alley, with meaningful messages inscribed on them in cursive. The gold and pink colour combination is also a classier and more muted rendition of the typical loud red packet.
Price: $3 per packet
Website (DM for purchase)
5. The Paper Bunny – foil-stamped text
Image credit: @charlenechia
For those of you who have a special place in your heart for all things shiny, these angbaos with foil-stamped text from The Paper Bunny will be your cup of tea. The versatile messages on them also mean that they can still be used for events other than CNY.
Price: $5 per packet
Website
6. Uncle Khoe’s K9 Shelter – raising funds for shelter dogs
Image credit: @uncle_khoe_k9
Calling all dog lovers out there: Uncle Khoe’s K9 Shelter is selling doggy angbaos, with all the sales profit going back to helping the dogs at the shelter.
Spot the little pigs! These designs are specific to this year’s zodiac but don’t take away the limelight from the cause they are trying to drive at, making it all the more meaningful.
Image credit: @uncle_khoe_k9
Price: $8 per packet
Website
7. Bark A Tree x Hope for Animals – realistic dog sketches for a good cause
Image credit: Hope For Animals
Bark-A-Tree is a dog shelter that has teamed up with Hope For Animals to design their own angbaos, featuring realistic sketches of dogs that will make you go awww.
Piggy Corgi Butt Mel
Image credit: Hope For Animals
Aside from that, they also have a cartoony series with corgis and pigs on them – complete with their cute little booties sticking out!
Image credit: Bark A Tree
Price: $2.50 per packet
Website
8. Singlish Mamashop – full of “huat”
Image credit: Naiise
These “Huat’s Up?” and “Huat Ah!” angbaos by Singlish Mamashop are a humorous change from those with zodiac designs. You’ll find that the red packets are not 100% identical to each other, because they are handmade as part of the Singlish Mamashop’s collaboration with the elders from Lion Befrienders.
Price: $7 per packet
Website
9. Tuber – fit for all occasions
Image credit: Tuber
Tuber’s Bao Ga Liao angbao set has 8 designs fit for every Singaporean occasion, from Hari Raya to baby showers. And the CNY one in particular features a fun picture pun to pay tribute to the common CNY saying – nian nian you yu.
Price: $16.80 per packet
Website
Quirky & cute angbaos in Singapore
Angbaos might only be used to temporarily hold lui, but those with beautiful designs on them add a dose of fun and excitement, especially for the kids. These are reasonably affordable as well, so go on and bring some extra joy to your family and friends this Chinese New Year!