Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year is a magical and special time of year. This date — falling on January 29 in 2025 — symbolises the beginning of a new year in Chinese culture and falls on the day of the New Moon that occurs between January 22 and February 20. It also signifies the beginning of the Spring Festival and then the subsequent Lantern Festival on February 5 – so this is a time of big celebrations and a lot of gift giving.

In 2025, Lunar New Year welcomes the Year of the Snake – a symbol of good fortune, rebirth, wisdom, and change. With this in mind, the year ahead will be one of hope, and for those searching for a source of luck this Lunar New Year, you'll be pleased to know that the snake is considered one of the luckiest of the 12 animals!

Gifting is an important part of these celebrations and most family, friends, partners and even colleagues will exchange gifts. Of course one of the most common is money in a red envelope, but there are plenty of other options if you would rather pick something more personal. Below, we've rounded up 16 chic and practical gift ideas for this Lunar New Year 2025. These are our picks of limited edition sets, luxury items and thoughtful ideas to help your celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in style.

Bulgari Serpenti Viper Ring

Viktoria & Woods Austin Mule in Cherry

Sandro Textured Tweed Cardigan

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Watch

Grand Barossa Shiraz 2023 - The Year of the Snake Edition

Meisterstück Calligraphy Solitaire Celadon Dégradé Fountain Pen Curved Nib

Medium Flamenco purse in mellow nappa lambskin

House of Creed Year Of The Snake Gift Set

Breguet Classique 7145

Polo Ralph Lauren Lunar New Year Fleece High-Crewneck

Charlotte Tilbury Lunar New Year Kiss Of Fortune Lipstick

Longines Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake Edition

Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Snake Ring

Max Mara wool and cashmere knit dress

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year Of The Snake Timepiece

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI Lunar New Year Limited Edition

MALIN+GOETZ Lunar New Year Bergamot Hand + Body Wash 250ml

When shopping for a gift for Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year, remember there are a few to definitely do – and a few to avoid. Red is a lucky colour that symbolises prosperity, so try picking out something red or wrapping your gift in red paper. Try to pick a gift with even numbers but avoid anything with the number four as this number is bad luck. On the other-hand, the number eight is good luck, so try for that instead.

While most clothing, beauty and homewares are perfectly acceptable gifts, do avoid buying cut flowers which suggest a break-up or the end of a friendship. Likewise, avoid anything sharp which can symbolise the cutting of a relationship. Two other things to avoid, mirrors are said to attract ghosts and giving clocks is very bad luck.