Chinese New Year is happening extremely soon. And along with other traditions, one of the most well-known acts is the giving of angpaos or hong pao (紅包) —- red packets with money inside. We all love this tradition, eagerly awaiting the new year to participate.
Even an angpao should have festive decorations, in lieu of the grand celebration of the Lunar New Year. As it turns out, banks are offering some amazing angpaos this year. So check out what designs are available and choose your absolute favourite to hand out! You can even keep a few for yourself if you truly fall in love with the packets.
1. UOB Bank
UOB’s angpaos are bursting with life, full to the brim with colours and various elements, all waiting to celebrate with us. From flowers, to birds and leaves, there is no shortage of colour in this design.
2. Aeon Bank
In true Year of the Snake fashion, Aeon Bank’s red packet packaging features a stunning snake design. Slithering across packets, we have the animal of the year bringing us fortune and money.
3. Alliance Bank
Alliance Bank has a stunning set of red packets, featuring a crane design. An elegant packet, that’s topped with traces of gold, it’s perfect for this year!
4. Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN)
Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) came out with a flowery design for this Chinese New Year. The wording is simple, a standard new year greeting that fits wonderfully with the festivities.
5. CIMB
CIMB’s design seems simpler at a first glance, but the background has a detailed pattern. Perfect for a more subtle approach!
6. Hong Leong Bank
Another flowery design to add to the list, Hong Leong Bank offers a more simplistic design. Though not very bright, there’s a charm to the design, for a more subtle celebration.
7. HSBC
Though it’s most definitely not a lion kind of year, HSBC’s red packet design features a stunning golden lion, which is beautiful nonetheless. It’s a simple yet effective choice.
8. Maybank
Maybank has a variety of designs, all made to celebrate. And each one is a visual treat, with sweet pastels plastered all over each packet, the design (in-collaboration with Mid Valley Megamall) stays lowkey while looking amazing with tiny details.
9. OCBC
OCBC’s red packet design is bright, filled with vibrant colours. It captures the largely celebratory nature of Chinese New Year, and is perfect for conveying everyone’s festive mood.
10. SME
Taking a more laid-back approach, SME Bank’s design is more soothing, staying away from huge, flashy elements. Instead it presents a gentler packaging, not overwhelming the eyes, while remaining festive in nature.
11. Agrobank
Featuring the most adorable snake ever, Agrobank’s design might just take the cake for cutest red packet this year! These are perfect to give out to kids, as they’re sure to be as taken with this cutie as we are. Simple, yet effective as it can place you instantly into a cheery mood.
12. Bank Islam
An elegant and elaborate design with the simple elements of gold and red, Bank Islam has produced a beautifully mesmerising pattern for Chinese New Year.
13. Standard Chartered Bank
A colourful and lively design, Standard Chartered Bank’s angpao design is absolutely breathtaking. With butterflies and flowers littered all over the packet, it’s vibrant without being harsh on the eyes, staying easy to look at, with a certain smooth aesthetic to it.
So which angpao will you be giving away?
Janae Lee contributed to this article.
