Re-imagining the World One Mouthful at a Time . . . . .

Printable When Alice Sleeps Lai See

24 January 2021

Chinese New Year 2021 is on February 12th and as always, Chinese New Year is a time of family gatherings with great tasting food, bright colours, traditional lion dances, live music and a whole lot of dragons! And, although this year will be very different to what we’re usually used to, receiving lai see (lucky money) off family adults and seeing how much I’d get and feeling excited about getting a new set of clothes to wear on the actual big day will always be memorable moments to me as a kid.

Lai See envelopes known as ‘red packets’/‘lai see’/‘hong bao’, in Chinese, means to spread good luck and health and to keep the bad spirits away. They’re often given to children and young people during the Lunar New Year to wish them good luck. Chinese people believe the more luck you give to others, the more luck you receive.

Let’s celebrate Chinese New Year together with this When Alice Sleeps fun red envelope DIY activity. Money goes inside the envelope and it’s then given to friends and family at New Year to wish luck and happiness. Print out your red envelope, or lai see template here and then cut, and make up using double-sided tape. Use them to gift money, hold a tiny note of good thoughts, your little ones favourite stickers or why not fill with yummy chocolate golden coins? – the possibilities are endless!

Find more of my illustrated lai see templates available in our ETSY shop featuring four different designs including a ‘Colour Your Own’ version.

Find this template in our ETSY shop

Did you have fun with your DIY activity? Remember to upload your photos to social media and use the hashtags #whenalicesleeps and tag me @missiecindz. Each month I’ll pick my favourite photo to win a special gift!

Stay warm and safe.

Missie Cindz

posted under: When Alice Sleeps