Chinese New Year in China: Meaning, Traditions, and the Best Flowers & Gifts to Send

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié), is the most important holiday of the year in China. If you only remember one festival to celebrate with someone in China, this is it. While January 1 is recognized as the “Western New Year” (元旦), Chinese New Year is the moment that truly feels like a fresh start for most Chinese families: it is the time for reunion, blessings, new beginnings, and heartfelt wishes for luck, health, and prosperity.

If you are living abroad and your loved one is in China, Chinese New Year is also one of the most meaningful times to send flowers and gifts. This guide explains the festival in a clear way for international customers—what it means, how people celebrate, what to send, and what to avoid—so your gift feels culturally appropriate and genuinely thoughtful.

1) When Is Chinese New Year in 2026?

Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, so the date changes every year. In 2026, Chinese New Year is on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This day marks the start of the Year of the Horse (commonly referred to as the Fire Horse), and the zodiac year runs until February 5, 2027.

Because the festival is so important, the celebration is not limited to one day. Many households begin preparing well in advance, and the festive season traditionally continues through the Lantern Festival, which closes the New Year period with lantern displays, sweet glutinous rice balls, and a final “full-circle” celebration.

2) Why Chinese New Year Feels Like the “Real New Year”

January 1 in China is a modern calendar reset, often a short break that people spend resting, meeting friends, or doing small outings. Chinese New Year is different in scale, emotion, and tradition. It is deeply connected to family identity and cultural rhythm. People travel long distances to return home, homes are decorated with symbolic colors, and the entire society shifts into “New Year mode.” It is the time when many Chinese people feel they are truly closing one chapter and opening a new one.

3) The Weeks Before: Preparation, Cleaning, and Festive Shopping

Chinese New Year begins long before the first fireworks or the first red envelope. In the days leading up to the festival, households do a thorough cleaning, often described as “sweeping away the old” to welcome good luck. People buy New Year décor, new clothes (symbolizing a fresh start), and carefully choose food and gifts for family visits.

For cities, the atmosphere becomes visibly festive: shopping malls turn red and gold, gift boxes appear everywhere, and florists become extremely busy because fresh flowers and lucky plants are central to the season.

4) New Year’s Eve: The Reunion Dinner (The Heart of the Festival)

Chinese New Year’s Eve is the emotional center of the holiday. Families gather for a reunion dinner (年夜饭), often the most important meal of the entire year. Even people who cannot travel home often try to celebrate with close friends, colleagues, or a partner, because being together matters.

The dinner is not only about food—it is about reunion and blessings. Many families stay up late together, chatting, snacking, watching TV programs, and welcoming the arrival of the new year at midnight.

5) New Year’s Day: Greetings, Visits, and Red Envelopes

On the first days of Chinese New Year, people greet relatives, visit family elders, and exchange blessings. Children and younger family members traditionally receive red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo) containing money, symbolizing good luck and protection for the year ahead. Today, digital red envelopes are also common, but physical red envelopes remain meaningful in many families.

This period is also when many people send greetings to mentors, teachers, close friends, and business partners. It is a season of relationship-building and respect, which is why sending a gift can feel especially appropriate.

6) Decorations and Symbols You Will See Everywhere

Chinese New Year decorations are not random—they are loaded with symbolism. Red is the main color because it represents luck and joy. Homes and building entrances often display red couplets (春联) with auspicious phrases, and the character “福” (fortune) is commonly placed on doors, sometimes upside down to symbolize “fortune has arrived.”

Depending on the city and local rules, you may see fireworks, lanterns, and festive street displays. In many places, fireworks are regulated for safety and air quality, so celebrations may rely more on decorations, family meals, and community events.

7) Flowers and “Lucky Plants” for Chinese New Year

Unlike many Western holidays where flowers are optional, Chinese New Year has a strong tradition of decorating homes with fresh blooms and auspicious plants. These are chosen not only for beauty, but for what they represent: growth, wealth, vitality, harmony, and good fortune.

Here are the most popular choices to send in China during Chinese New Year:

Orchids (especially Phalaenopsis)
Orchids are elegant, long-lasting, and widely seen as a symbol of refinement and good taste. They are one of the safest and most appreciated New Year gifts for families, clients, and anyone who enjoys home décor.

Kumquat trees
Kumquats are strongly associated with wealth and luck. A healthy, well-presented kumquat plant is a classic New Year decoration for homes and shops.

Narcissus
Narcissus is a traditional New Year flower in many regions, appreciated for its clean look and seasonal timing. It represents renewal and good fortune.

Peony imagery and peony-inspired designs
Fresh peonies are seasonal (typically spring), so during Chinese New Year many households use peony motifs in decorations, paintings, and New Year designs to express wishes for prosperity and honor. In gifting, you can echo that symbolism through red-and-gold styling, premium wrapping, or “prosperity” themed arrangements even when peonies themselves are not available.

Red and gold festive bouquets
Red roses, red carnations, and warm-toned mixed bouquets are widely chosen because they match the New Year atmosphere. For families and offices, fuller arrangements that look “abundant” are often preferred over minimalist styles.

8) Gift Ideas Beyond Flowers

Chinese New Year gifting is both personal and practical. Many gifts are meant to be shared with family or guests, which is why gift boxes and baskets are extremely popular. For overseas customers, these gifts are also easy to send because they clearly match the season.

Popular New Year gifts in China include:

• Gift hampers with snacks, nuts, dried fruit, and premium treats that can be shared during family visits.
• Fruit baskets, often featuring oranges or mandarins because they symbolize luck and prosperity in many regions.
• Chocolate gift boxes for modern households, couples, and office gifting.
• Tea gift sets, which feel refined and culturally fitting for family elders and business relationships.
• Celebration cakes or dessert boxes for younger recipients or families hosting gatherings.

If you want your gift to feel especially complete, combining flowers with a shareable gift box is one of the most appreciated formats during the New Year period.

9) Simple Etiquette: What Feels Right (and What to Avoid)

Chinese New Year is a time for “good symbols,” so presentation and small details matter. Your gift will feel more thoughtful when it aligns with the season’s cultural cues.

Choose festive colors. Red, gold, warm orange, and rich champagne tones are common for the season. These colors communicate celebration immediately.

Prefer auspicious numbers. Many people like 6, 8, and 9 because they sound lucky in Chinese culture. If you are sending a bouquet, choosing a lucky count can add meaning. Many people avoid the number 4 due to pronunciation associations.

Avoid gifts with negative symbolism. If you are unsure, stick to flowers, fruit baskets, chocolates, tea, and well-curated hampers—these are widely safe and appreciated.

10) The “Travel Season” Effect: Why Planning Matters

Chinese New Year is also the biggest travel season in China. Many people return to their hometowns, which can affect delivery convenience, especially for office addresses. For the best experience, send to a home address when possible, and include a reachable local phone number so delivery can be coordinated smoothly.

Because demand is high, ordering earlier helps secure better selection and ensures your delivery date is respected.

11) Message Ideas You Can Copy

A good Chinese New Year message does not need to be long. Simple blessings feel natural and sincere.

English message ideas

• “Wishing you a joyful Chinese New Year. May the year bring health, peace, and success.”
• “Happy Spring Festival. Even from far away, I’m celebrating with you.”
• “May your home be filled with warmth, good luck, and beautiful new beginnings.”

Chinese message ideas

• “新春快乐！愿你平安顺遂，万事如意。”
• “春节快乐！愿你新的一年健康幸福，心想事成。”
• “祝你阖家安康，福气满满，喜乐常在。”

12) What to Send with iweiyi.com for Chinese New Year

For Chinese New Year, the most appreciated deliveries are those that look festive, feel abundant, and can be enjoyed or displayed immediately. Orchids, lucky plants, red-and-gold bouquets, fruit baskets, chocolates, and premium hampers all match the season naturally. Adding a greeting card with a short blessing turns your gift into a meaningful New Year moment—especially for long-distance couples and families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chinese New Year more important than January 1 in China?
For most Chinese people, yes. January 1 is recognized and celebrated, but Chinese New Year is the main holiday with deep traditions, family reunion, and the strongest “new beginning” meaning.

Do people exchange gifts during Chinese New Year?
Yes. Gifts are common for family visits, elders, teachers, close friends, and business relationships. Shareable items and festive flowers are especially popular.

Are flowers appropriate for business gifting?
Yes, when styled appropriately. Orchids and refined festive arrangements are often considered elegant and professional.

What if I don’t know what the recipient likes?
Safe options include orchids, fruit hampers, chocolate gift boxes, and premium snack hampers. They are widely appreciated and easy to share.

A New Year That Truly Matters

Chinese New Year is more than a holiday—it is the cultural heartbeat of the year in China. It is the time when families reunite, homes become brighter, and people exchange blessings for luck and health. If your loved one is in China and you are abroad, sending flowers and gifts during Chinese New Year is one of the most meaningful ways to say: “I’m with you in spirit, and I’m wishing you a beautiful year ahead.”