RECEIVING AND KEEPING ANG POWS FOR GOOD LUCK

Old I may be but I still get angpows (red packet containing money) because of my single status.  Heh! Heh! I usually get the red packets from my mum, aunts, uncle and cousins.  And I usually don't use the money.  I keep that for good luck for the whole year through.

I found an interesting and informative write-up about ang pows or lai see on a blog and am sharing it with you here:

Traditionally, red packets are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples to unmarried people. Married couples usually give out two red packets on the first new year after being married. This is because the wife presents one and the husband presents one. In subsequent years they may give one as a couple.A red packet is simply a red envelope with gift money in it, which symbolizes luck and wealth. To the Chinese, the gift of the red packet is a form of ‘lai see’, which means the passing of good luck to the recipient. When you give someone an ang pow, it is likened to wrapping up all your good intentions and passing it on to the recipient. The whole idea is to foster the spirit of giving.

The Chinese believe that when you give you will receive back two-fold.There is the general consensus that there should be no other colour for the ang pow packet other than red.The amount of money inside must be in even numbers , not odd numbers. Usually , when you get an ang pow from a successful or well to do person , its lucky to keep the ang pow intact . Do not spend it . On the other hand , if you get one from someone down in the luck , quickly spend the money inside .

Source: http://yesboleh.blogspot.com/2009/01/wishing-you-happy-chinese-new-year.html