The West’s New Year celebrations may have come and gone, but another new year is beckoning: Chinese Lunar New Year.
The event is marked by more than two billion people on Earth, in China as well as diaspora across the world with plenty of food, celebratory parades and of course, present offerings.
When is Chinese New Year?
In 2023, the auspicious date falls on Sunday, January 22 and will continue for just over a fortnight. It’s also known as chunjie, or the Spring Festival, heralding the beginning of a new season (a relief for anyone who’s just about had their fill of winter).
London is on track to celebrate the event with a huge parade running from Charing Cross down to Trafalgar Square and plenty of partying in Chinatown.
What animal is it this Lunar New Year?
The Chinese calendar is marked by various animals on a 60 year rotation. This year it’s the turn of the water rabbit, the fourth creature in the Chinese zodiac and thought to be the luckiest of the lot.
What gifts to give for Chinese New Year?
Traditional gifts usually take the form of cash tucked inside a lucky red envelope or two mandarin oranges offered with both hands, major brands and luxury retailers have created limited edition products to mark the occasion.
We’ve created an edit of the best present ideas to give this Lunar New Year.
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Swarovski Asian Symbols Rabbit Ornament
Add to your recipient’s decorations with Swarovski’s beautiful rabbit figurine, designed to celebrate the incoming Lunar New Year. The critter glimmers in the light thanks to 388 facets of clear, pink, black and golden crystal and sits perched on a lucky gold-coloured coin. The piece is finished with bright red tassels, a shade considered lucky in Chinese culture.
Buy now £65.00, Swarovski
Liberty Year of the Rabbit Square Velvet Cushion
Bring the Year of the Rabbit home with a brand new soft furnishing in honour of the occasion. Liberty’s square cushion is filled with 100 per cent duck feather and covered in sumptuous velvet and patterned with leaping rabbits, illustrating the joy and vitality to be expected in the coming year. The bright red design features a floral print on the reverse and is finished with dark red tassels on each corner.
Buy now £175.00, Liberty
Hennessy X.O Chinese New Year 2023 Limited Edition
The iconic cognac brand is marking the incoming zodiac year with a very special collector’s edition of its X.O expression - its recipe has stayed the same since 1870. The stunning yellow and red bottle comes housed in an illustrated gift box, making it an ideal gift.
Buy now £193.00, Clos19
Vivienne Westwood Jewellery Rabbit gold-tone brass pendant necklace
When in doubt, jewellery is always a failsafe gifting option. Best known for its iconic orb design, Vivienne Westwood is pairing its signature motif with a white enamel and gold-tone brass rabbit pendant in honour of Chinese New Year.
Buy now £120.00, Selfridges
Whittard Chinese New Year Lucky Lychee Caddy
Tea, and tea ceremonies, are a big part of Chinese culture. Tea expert Whittard has designed a brand new tea tin in honour of the Year of the Rabbit. It’s packed with fruity lychee-flavoured loose leaf black tea and will make up to 50 cups, keeping you well refreshed into the New Year.
Buy now £18.00, Whittard
Victorinox Huntsman Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023
With a history that stretches back 125 years, a Swiss Army Knife is the perfect useful gift for all. Victorinox’s Huntsman Year Of series sees this year’s limited edition finished with a rabbit-inspired design. With only 6000 available, it’s a very special present for anyone born in this zodiac cycle.
Buy now £100.00, Victorinox
Liberty Rabbit Charm Coin Purse
While money is a traditional gift for Chinese New Year, coins and notes are often tucked into auspicious red envelopes. Start a new tradition this year by filling this rabbit-shaped purse with a few coins instead. The sweet design is perfect for the young - and the young at heart - with a fluffy white pom pom tail adding to its charm. It comes with a golden dog clip to allow you to attach it securely to your bag.
Buy now £125.00, Liberty
Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm
What better way to celebrate the incoming year than with a fresh beauty cabinet? Skincare lovers will adore receiving Elemis' Chinese New Year version of its Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm (in a red and gold jar, natch). It'll last all year too; the XL jar holds 200ml of the gentle soothing formula.
Buy now £80.00, Harrods
Montblanc The Legend of Zodiac Rabbit leather notebook
New Year is a fresh start, the blank page of a fresh notebook. Keep your goals in order with Montblanc’s handsome 21cm x 15cm notebook bound in red grained leather with a gold rabbit-themed illustration.
Buy now £70.00, Selfridges
Jellycat Bashful Bunny small soft toy
If you’ve got a small person to buy a gift for, we can’t think of a better present than Jellycat’s super soft Bashful Bunny plush toy. The sweet creature is covered in incredibly soft polyester, making it a comforting toy for newborns and toddlers alike.
Buy now £16.00, Selfridges
Loveness Lee Chinese Zodiac Jewellery - Rabbit
Commemorate the importance of Chinese New Year with a special trinket from Chinese jeweller Loveness Lee. The brand’s collection of zodiac pendants are inspired by ancient calligraphy and fashioned from an 18ct gold plate wrapped around recycled silver. One to delight jewellery magpies.
Buy now £158.00, Loveness Lee
Gucci wool polo shirt
Revered Italian fashion house Gucci has released its tribute to the new year by transforming its famous interlocking G logo into a cartoon-like bunny. The collection spans men’s, women’s and accessories such as watches, but we think this wool polo shirt offers the most in terms of cost-per-wear.
Buy now £890.00, Gucci
Chantecaille Year Of The Rabbit Bio Lifting Serum+ 50ml
Beauty obsessives will hop with joy at Chantecaille’s limited edition rendering of its anti-ageing Bio Lifting Serum+. It’s ready for Chinese New Year gifting in a bright red bottle featuring the animal du jour on the tube. Inside, the formula is packed with powerful botanicals and peptides to smooth fine lines, moisturise, lift, firm and protect against blue light pollution from screens.
Buy now £324.00, Harvey Nichols
Paul Smith Rabbit cotton-blend socks
For the smart man about town, nod to the New Year with Paul Smith’s patterned socks. This set of two features a subtle rabbit print ready to add character to everything from an office suit to jeans and a jumper at the weekend.
Buy now £40.00, Harvey Nichols
Fortnum’s The Lunar New Year Hamper
Six gourmet treats expertly packed inside a medium-sized honey-hued wicker basket - who else but Fortnum & Mason? The luxury grocer is ringing in the year of the rabbit with a basket filled 0 per cent ABV sparkling tea, a caddy of celebration tea, chocolates, and a limited edition selection of biscuits covered in festive rabbit-themed packaging, which you can also buy separately for £25.95. A gift that’ll be received with open arms.
Buy now £160.00, F&M
Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Year of the Rabbit Blue Label
As one of the fastest growing whisky audiences in the world, more and more Chinese drinkers are discovering the pleasures of Scotch. Johnnie Walker has been marking the Lunar New Year for a few years now with an illustrated version of its Blue Label. For the Year of the Rabbit, new talent Angel Chen has been recruited to take care of the artwork.
Buy now £210.00, The Whisky Exchange
Origins Mega Mushroom Treatment Lotion
Origins bestselling Mega Mushroom Treatment Lotion has been dressed up for Chinese New Year in a festive new red and gold bottle. The lotion is packed with ingredients to promote lumious and healthy-looking skin: what better start for the year ahead?
It’s time to welcome mushrooms into your skincare routine. The fungi has taken a starring role in beauty thanks to its soothing, anti-inflammatory effects. Origins' typically green bottle has had a makeover in honour of the big event, but the formula within remains as good as its always been. Expect healthy, glowy skin with regular use.
Buy now £33.00, Origins
Max Mara Lunar New Year collection
New threads for the New Year? Why not? Especially when they're as appealing as Max Mara's special Lunar New Year collection. Featuring rabbit mascot Max and in a rich red hue, shop everything from teddy bear coats to sleek dresses and accessories.
Buy now, Max Mara
Laduree Chinese New year 18 Macarons Assorted Gift Box
Sweets are a crowd-pleaser for any big event, but if you're going to a Lunar New Year party, why not swap the usual box of chocolates for Laduree's luxury macarons. Offered in a red and gold box, there are 18 bite-sized pieces of heaven to work your way through, with flavours like raspberry, chocolate and pistachio in the mix.
Buy now £50.00, Laduree
