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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Luminaries and Life devider What to do with red envelopes after the Chinese New Year?

What to do with red envelopes after the Chinese New Year?

Don't throw them away!

Published Feb 17, 2026 09:51 am
After the crisp bills have been tucked into your wallets, what happens to the red envelope itself?
For many, it’s quickly forgotten and discarded once the money is taken. But the red envelope, known as Hongbao, is more than a colored paper packaging. It represents blessings, protection, and the transfer of good fortune. So, how long should you keep it?
Keep it for the full 15 days
Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally last 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival. Many families keep their red envelopes throughout this entire period as a way of holding onto the luck that just arrived. Only after the festivities conclude can the money be deposited or spent (ideally partial or not at all), the envelope be stored or disposed of.
Keep one for the whole year
Some people take it a step further and keep one red envelope in their wallet, drawer, or safe for the entire lunar year. It doesn’t even need to contain money. The envelope symbolizes prosperity, and to be replaced when the next Chinese New Year arrives.
Don’t discard it carelessly
If you decide not to keep it, avoid crumpling it or tossing it into the trash thoughtlessly. Some tear the envelope neatly before discarding, symbolically closing the cycle of that year’s blessings. Others save a few envelopes in a keepsake box as part of a family tradition.
There is no strict superstition dictating an exact number of days. The practice is less about fear and more about respect. Whether you keep it for 15 days or the entire year, the gesture is a reminder that we began the year with something meaningful.

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