30 Chinese New Year Employee Appreciation Ideas to Have A Prosperous Year Ahead

Be it any business, it is an appreciative gesture to reward its employees, especially during the special occasion of the Chinese New Year. It not only boosts the employees' morale but is also a way to retain the company's best employees and show recognition. Besides, people like to get recognition during this period by receiving envelopes (hong bao) stuffed with cash, giving them a strong appreciation. 

Knowing the importance of rewarding employees in the Chinese New Year, you must find something to give as gifts for the Chinese New Year in office. Here are some effective ways to reward your employees - 

1. Red envelope bonanza 

Embrace the tradition of gifting red envelopes, also known as "hongbao." Consider filling these vibrant envelopes with personalized notes of appreciation, small tokens, or even a bit of extra cash as a gesture of good fortune for the upcoming year. 

2. Fortune cookie messages 

Infuse some wisdom and fun into your workplace by incorporating personalized fortune cookie messages. Write notes of appreciation, encouragement, or predictions for the year ahead. Distribute these sweet treats during team meetings or leave them on each employee's desk for a delightful surprise. 

3. Lunar New Year potluck feast 

Celebrate diversity by organizing a Lunar New Year potluck. Encourage employees to bring dishes inspired by Chinese cuisine or their own cultural backgrounds. It's a fantastic way to share traditions, foster understanding, and create a sense of unity within your team. 

4. Team building through traditional games 

Engage your team in traditional Chinese games like mahjong, Chinese checkers, or even a friendly game of table tennis. This not only adds a touch of authenticity to your celebration but also promotes teamwork and a sense of camaraderie. 

5. Customized zodiac awards 

Aligning with the Chinese zodiac, create personalized awards or certificates for each employee based on their zodiac sign characteristics. Highlight their strengths, contributions, and unique qualities in a light-hearted and positive manner.

6. Decorate the workspace 

Transform your office into a festive wonderland by incorporating Chinese New Year decorations. Red lanterns, paper-cut designs, and symbolic items like oranges and blooming flowers can create a vibrant and auspicious atmosphere. 

7. Wellness and mindfulness workshops 

Start the year on a positive note by organizing wellness and mindfulness workshops. Introduce practices such as tai chi, meditation, or traditional Chinese calligraphy to help employees destress and start the new year with a clear mind. 

8. Chinese tea tasting session 

Arrange a tea tasting session featuring a variety of Chinese teas. Not only is this a delightful sensory experience, but it also offers an opportunity for employees to relax, bond, and learn about the rich culture behind each tea. 

9. Voucher cards 

Employee gift cards are a great way to appreciate the hard work of employees as well as motivate them to perform even better. You can give gift cards as incentives for completing a project on time, as a recognition of their valued services for the company or even a job well done. 

10. Entertainment subscriptions  

Celebrating Chinese New Year is not just about traditional festivities but also an opportunity for companies to show appreciation to their employees. Consider gifting entertainment subscriptions like Netflix to your team. 

This allows them to unwind and enjoy their favourite, quality content. It's a gesture saying, ‘Your well-being matters, and we want you to relax and enjoy some leisure time during this festive season.’ 

11. Learning subscriptions  

Chinese New Year signifies new beginnings, and what better way to support your employees' growth than by providing learning subscriptions like Coursera? Empower them with opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge. 

This gesture communicates that the company values personal and professional development, contributing to a motivated workforce. Enrol for the courses like – Google Project Management: Professional Certificate, Excel skills for business and many more.  

12. Gift hampers 

Splurging upon gifts such as chocolates, cakes, floral bouquets, home decor, plants, and gift baskets- fruit baskets, and cookies can be a wonderful idea to appreciate your employees. 

After all who wouldn’t like to receive hampers brimming with snacks, sweets and many more yummy delicacies? And to jazz up the things, use red or gold wrapping paper to pack the gifts, which is considered auspicious. You can also enhance the value of your chosen gifts for Chinese New Year by attaching a note. 

13. Office trip 

Make them break from routine and celebrate Chinese New Year with a memorable office trip. Whether a day outing or a weekend getaway, an outing will promote better team bonding and create lasting memories. It's a way to express gratitude for their hard work, offering a chance to relax, rejuvenate and connect personally, outside the office environment. 

14. Wishes and greeting cards 

One of the best ways to appreciate the employees is to extend wishes and greeting cards to staff, clients and even business associates. Offering well-worded greetings is considered to bring good luck in the New Year. Exchanging greetings also increases the interaction among staff members and builds a positive work atmosphere, helpful in increasing productivity.   

15. Office Buffet Party 

Turn the workplace into a festive haven by organising an office buffet party. Decorate the office with vibrant flowers such as peonies, lilies and orchids, symbolising growth and prosperity. Hire a caterer that will bring life to your party with popular snacks and beverages. Don’t forget to organise fun and engaging games & activities that will make everyone smile and chuckle. 

12 Ways to celebrate the year of the dragon with these Lunar New Year gift ideas 

Now that we have highlighted foolproof ways to appreciate your workplace family on the auspicious occasion of CNY, pair them with these holiday-appropriate goodies that will spread all the good wishes.  

1. Gourmet treats & snacks 

Repeat after us - you cannot go wrong with a basket of gourmet treats and snacks! Go for the one that carries different types of delicious confections. You can take your gesture up a notch by putting chocolate coins in a red envelope or a separate box compartment.  

2. Stuffed dragon 

Since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, give them all the hugs and wishes with a cute stuffed dragon. The adults will also enjoy this perfect, on-theme gift for the Chinese New Year.  

3. Money tree plant 

Infuse positivity into their living space with the gift of a money tree. Known for attracting good luck and fortune, this thoughtful Chinese New Year in office present will usher positive energy into their home. 

4. Wine or sparkling juice 

Have them toast the New Year in style with fine wines or a pack of sparkling juices. They are among the many traditional Lunar New Year presents that can be given as corporate gifts too.  

5. Insulated mug 

If you seek a useful gift for your employees that lasts beyond the Lunar New Year, look not beyond than an insulated mug. With double-walled vacuum insulation, people can enjoy the beverage of their choice at their desired temperature. You can give it a personal touch with a traditional dragon design. 

6. Orchid plant 

The orchid flowering plant is a living symbol of good fortune and wealth. Thus, you can make your employees go aww by gifting these breathtaking CNY flowers. They would love to nurture it, watch it grow, and deck their space. 

7. Box of oranges/tangerines  

Gifting fruits, candies and alcohol is a common tradition of Chinese New Year. Thus, surprise everyone in your office with a whole box of mandarin oranges, tangerines, and other fruity delights. These citrus fruits symbolize prosperity, bringing positive energy to life. 

8. Dried fruits and nuts arrangement 

Perfect for their midday munch, evening snacks or whenever they feel like eating, a box of premium dried fruits & nuts is a sure-shot hit. Walnut, pista, almond, cashew, raisin, dried cranberries and so much more - get them a mix of everything into a beautiful arrangement.  

9. Home decor 

Amp up your extended family’s festive spirit with the gift of home decor for CNY 2024. Choose from vibrant wall art, paper calligraphy, elegant lanterns, red & gold tassels, designer candles and more. These thoughtful additions symbolize prosperity and joy to any living space, making them perfect tokens of good wishes for the celebrations. 

10. Express your gratitude on social media 

In today's digital age, expressing gratitude on social media has become a powerful and accessible way to acknowledge employees' hard work and dedication. It provides a public platform to showcase appreciation within the company and the broader online community. 

It's a modern and effective way to showcase appreciation, fostering a workplace recognition and motivation culture. 

11. Provide fitness memberships 

As Chinese New Year approaches in 2024, consider celebrating not just with traditional festivities but also by providing fitness opportunities to appreciate the efforts of your employees. This can take the form of wellness programs, fitness challenges, or even providing gym memberships.

Encouraging a healthy lifestyle during this festive season shows your concern for the well-being of your team but also contributes to increased productivity and a positive work environment. 

12. Digital red envelope experience 

For teams working remotely or in hybrid setups, a digital red envelope is a tech-savvy twist on a timeless tradition. Use corporate gifting platforms to send monetary rewards, discount coupons, or vouchers directly to employees’ inboxes. Pair the e-hongbao with a personalized video message from leadership for added warmth. It’s one of the more innovative Chinese New Year corporate gift ideas that embraces both tradition and digital convenience. 

13. Lucky bamboo arrangement 

Add an element of green charm to your Chinese New Year corporate gift ideas with lucky bamboo arrangements. Revered in Feng Shui, this elegant plant symbolizes prosperity, strength, and resilience—making it a meaningful gift for employees. Place it in a red or gold pot for an auspicious touch. It's a low-maintenance, stylish addition to any desk or home, blending tradition with everyday practicality. 

14. Personalized desk calendars 

Start the year with thoughtful organization by gifting personalized desk calendars designed with traditional Chinese New Year motifs. Include motivational quotes, employee birthdays, or key company milestones to make it unique. It’s one of those Chinese New Year office activities that blends utility with creativity, ensuring employees stay inspired throughout the year. 

15. Celebrate their achievements 

Amidst the vibrant Chinese New Year 2024 celebrations, take a moment to extend your appreciation to employees by acknowledging their milestones. Celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant achievements during this festive time adds a personalized touch and demonstrates a genuine recognition of their contributions. 

Leverage Empuls for Chinest New Year rewards & recognition 

Share recognition stories on the social feed or via LinkedIn integration. Use Milestone & Service Awards module for birthdays, anniversaries, loyalty awards and many more.  

This is why you need Empuls to implement the Chinese new year corporate gift ideas. 

• Global catalog & multilingual support for distributed teams 
• AI-powered automation with Em bot for reminders & personalization 
• Seamless integrations with HRMS, MS Teams, Slack, and more 
• Detailed reporting on adoption, participation, ROI 
• Tax-compliant rewards & cost-effective billing models 
• 8000+ gift cards, subscriptions (Netflix, Coursera), Amazon gifts, experiences, merchandise, and travel vouchers. 
• Automated gifting for events or milestones. 
• In-the-moment or scheduled delivery with personalized notes. 

Schedule a call now with the experts to know how Empuls can transform your Chinese New Year celebration ideas for good. 

How to celebrate Lunar New Year at work with engaging ideas? 

Celebrating Lunar New Year in the workplace is a great way to foster inclusivity, boost employee morale, and honor cultural traditions. Here are some meaningful and fun ways to celebrate Lunar New Year at work: 

Decorate the office with festive elements 

Brighten up the workplace with traditional decorations like red lanterns, paper cuttings, and couplets. These symbolize luck and prosperity, setting a festive mood for all. 

Host a traditional lunch or potluck 

Bring colleagues together with a Lunar New Year-themed lunch featuring traditional dishes like dumplings, spring rolls, and noodles. This is one of the most appreciated Chinese New Year office activities. 

Organize cultural workshops or performances 

Consider inviting a speaker to share the significance of the holiday or arranging a lion dance performance. These engaging CNY corporate activities help employees connect with the celebration on a deeper level. 

Launch a red envelope (hongbao) giveaway 

Distribute symbolic red envelopes filled with chocolate coins, gift cards, or lucky messages. It’s a simple yet effective way to bring joy and incorporate a traditional custom. 

Plan fun games and team activities 

From trivia quizzes about Lunar New Year traditions to crafting sessions, interactive ideas to celebrate Chinese New Year at work can enhance team bonding. 

Acknowledge the holiday in internal communications 

Send festive greetings through emails or newsletters to show appreciation and acknowledge the importance of the holiday for employees who celebrate it. 

Knowing how to celebrate Chinese New Year at work goes beyond just festivities—it’s about creating a respectful, engaging, and inclusive environment for all. 

Conclusion 

It's a thoughtful way to intertwine the joy of the Chinese New Year with the recognition of the unique qualities and efforts that each team member brings to the table. By commemorating these personal milestones, you foster a sense of camaraderie and show that your organization values the whole person, both personally and professionally.  

These mentioned gestures and gift ideas go beyond conventional bonuses and express a sincere acknowledgement of employees' efforts, making Chinese New Year a truly special occasion for everyone. 

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