Red Envelope Wishes: What to Write on a Lunar New Year Red Envelope (and Etiquette)
By the PixerInvite team · 6 min read · Updated 21 October 2026
A red envelope wish is a short blessing for the year — prosperity, health or success — written on the envelope or said as you hand it over. Red envelopes go by many names: hongbao, lai see, ang pao and lì xì. Here are wishes for every recipient, and the etiquette that goes with them.
Who gives red envelopes, and to whom?
Elders and married adults give them to children, teenagers and unmarried young adults, usually at Lunar New Year and weddings. Employers often give them to staff too — the custom varies by family and region.
What are common red envelope wishes?
| Wish | Pronunciation | Meaning | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 恭喜发财 | gōng xǐ fā cái | Wishing you prosperity | Anyone |
| 身体健康 | shēn tǐ jiàn kāng | Good health | Elders |
| 万事如意 | wàn shì rú yì | May everything go as you wish | Anyone |
| 学业进步 | xué yè jìn bù | Progress in your studies | Children and students |
| 步步高升 | bù bù gāo shēng | Rise step by step (career success) | Colleagues and young adults |
| 岁岁平安 | suì suì píng ān | Peace and safety year after year | Family |
| An khang thịnh vượng | (Vietnamese) | Security, health and prosperity | Anyone at Tết |
If you write in Chinese, copy the characters exactly — or write the wish in English. Many families simply say the wish aloud as they give the envelope.
What can you write in English?
- For a child: "Happy New Year! Study hard, play hard and grow strong."
- For a teenager: "Wishing you success in everything you try this year."
- For a young couple: "Health, happiness and prosperity in your first new year together."
- For an employee: "Thank you for a great year — wishing you good fortune in the Year of the Goat."
How much should you put in a red envelope?
There's no fixed amount — it depends on how close you are and local custom. The traditions are about the numbers: amounts usually end in an even digit, 4 is avoided because it sounds like "death", and crisp new banknotes are preferred. Eight is widely seen as lucky because in Chinese it sounds like "prosper".
What's the etiquette for receiving one?
Accept it with both hands, thank the giver and return a wish — "gōng xǐ fā cái" or "happy new year". Traditionally you don't open it in front of the giver.
Can you send a red envelope wish digitally?
Yes — many families now send digital red envelopes with a message, and a New Year greeting card works the same way for wishes. PixerInvite's Golden Prosperity opens with a red envelope spilling gold coins, then shows your photo or logo and your wish; Red Lantern Night is the family favourite. More wishes in Lunar New Year wishes.
Frequently asked questions
What do you write on a red envelope?
A short blessing such as 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái, wishing you prosperity), 身体健康 (good health) or 万事如意 (may everything go as you wish) — or the same wish in English.
How much money should go in a red envelope?
It depends on the relationship and local custom; use an amount ending in an even digit, avoid 4, and use new banknotes.
Who gives red envelopes?
Elders and married adults give them to children and unmarried young people; employers often give them to staff.
Should you open a red envelope in front of the giver?
Traditionally no — thank them, return a wish and open it later.
Can I send a Lunar New Year wish with a red envelope design on PixerInvite?
Yes — PixerInvite's Golden Prosperity opens with a red envelope and gold coins, then shows your photo or logo and your wish, shared as a link.
About PixerInvite. PixerInvite (sometimes written Pixer Invite) makes animated digital invitations for weddings, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, baby showers, housewarmings and festival greetings for Diwali, Christmas, New Year, Holi, Eid and Lohri. Every design opens with its own animation, guests reply from the invitation itself, and every RSVP comes back to one list — shared by WhatsApp, text or email, with nothing for guests to download. See the designs at pixerinvite.com.