White braiser from staub with snake embossed lid and steamed box choy

10 Lunar New Year gifts to celebrate the Year of the Snake

Our favourite limited-edition gift ideas.

On January 29, 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake will begin, and designers and craftspeople the world over have released limited-edition products to help people celebrate. The elegant coiling patterns of the wood snake is unique among the animals of the zodiac – and has inspired artists for centuries.

What is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are the same thing. Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. Lunar New Year celebrates the start of a new year according to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It marks the transition from winter to spring and spans from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the year.

When is Lunar New Year 2025?

Lunar New Year 2025, which falls on January 29, 2025 marks the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac.

What is the Lunar New Year animal 2025?

Lunar New Year 2025, which falls on January 29, 2025, marks the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac. Each year in the Chinese zodiac is associated with one of the twelve animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig) and one of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). The combination of the Wood element and the Snake signifies a year that is both introspective and transformative.

What does the Year of the Wood Snake represent?

The Snake is associated with wisdom, intuition and grace. People born in the Year of the Snake are often thought to be clever, charismatic and strategic, although they can also be seen as secretive or reserved.

What is the meaning of the red envelopes that are given?

It is customary for elders, bosses and those who are married to give out lai see (red envelopes or packets) during Chinese New Year. Red packets filled with lucky money would also be given to children to place under their pillows in order to ward off evil spirits and wish for a healthy new year.*

What is a traditional Lunar New Year greeting?

The festivities commence with heartfelt greetings, such as “Kung Hei Fat Choi” (Wishing you prosperity) and “Sun Tai Gin Hong” (Wishing you good health).*

What are some Lunar New Year traditions?

Families gather on the eve of Chinese New Year to enjoy festive dishes such as poon choi, a traditional Cantonese casserole filled with layers of ingredients that symbolise luck and fortune, as well as foods associated with wealth such as fat choy (black moss) and dried oysters.*

Why do people exchange oranges during Lunar New Year?

Be particular about the fruit you eat over Chinese New Year. Tangerines and oranges are the perfect lucky treats to gift, display and eat over this period because of their bright colour which resemble golden ingots. The Chinese pronunciation for tangerines sounds like ‘success’ or ‘luck’.*

Best gifts to celebrate the Year of the Snake

Red-themed gift basket created by Canadian company Baskits

Lunar New Year Gift Basket

Baskits

Among other treats, included is a red envelope with chocolate ‘money’ inside to send luck for the new year ahead and an orange chocolate and caramel bar wrapped in authentic Japanese Chiyogami paper.

Price: $80.00

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A delicious lunar new year pudding with beautiful red box cover

Dried Fig, Walnut and Honey Lunar New Year Pudding

The Peninsula Boutique

A pudding created by MICHELIN-starred chef Tang Chi Keung to celebrate the Lunar New Year, this pudding has a delicious mix of candied flavours dried Turkish figs and honey, balanced by roasted walnuts.

Price: $188.00

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box of sesame brittle

Lunar New Year Honey Sesame Seed Brittle

Williams Sonoma

Made in small batches in California’s Napa Valley, this savoury-sweet brittle is a delicious addition to Lunar New Year celebrations. The combination of honey, black and white sesame seeds and butter is a decadent treat.

Price: $42.95

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box of canadian chocolates with red and gold

Limited-Edition Lunar New Year Chocolates

Purdys
These handmade milk chocolate treats are individually wrapped in colourful festive foil featuring the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Made in Canada with sustainable cocoa.
Price: $18.00

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A gift set of Nespresso products celebrating the Lunar New Year 2025

Lunar New Year Gift Set Vertuo

Nespresso

The set includes two red porcelain Gran Lungo cups and six different flavours of Vertuo coffee capsules. An exclusive, limited-edition red tote bag and is also included.

Price: $102.00

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Special chili oil collaboration

Year of the Snake Celebration Chili Oil Gift Set

The Met x Junzi

Celebration Green Peppercorn Chili Oil is exclusive to Junzi’s collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its fresh, tangy flavour is a perfect balance to the intensity of Junzi’s Original Chili Oil.

Price: $84.00

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Beautiful box of decadent chocolate covered fruit

Chocolate Covered Dipped Fruits Assortment

Compartés

Fruit, especially mandarin oranges, are an important celebratory gift for LNY. Exchanging oranges is about sharing prosperity and happiness. And there’s no chocolate-covered fruit better to send than from Compartés.

Price: $79.95 USD

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Canadian candy company sugarfina has a tasting box of candies to celebrate lunar new year

Year of the Snake Candy Tasting Collection

Sugarfina

Each Zodiac sign has its own flavour and personality trait in this special-edition collection that includes 12 types of candies made by artisanal candy makers from around the world.

Price: $100.00

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Fun coloured accessories from Starbucks with snake patterns on them

Year of the Snake drinkware collection

Starbucks

Starbucks’ whimsical Lunar New Year collection is in a surprising pink palette. The cheerful ceramic mug mimics a coiled snake, while the straw of the cold cup is similarly adorned. Only available in stores.

 

Price: Prices start at $16.95 USD

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Red Staub braiser with embossed wood snake pattery for Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year Essential French Oven, 5.25 qt.

Staub

Made in France, Staub’s limited-edition enamelled cast-iron pot braiser features an embossed snake circling the lid, and is available in white or cherry red.

Price: $199.00 Sale Price

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*Excerpted from Hong Kong Tourism board

 

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