Suitable recipients

So, who should receive hongbao and how much should they be given?

Generally, as soon as a married person starts earning, they must give envelopes to children and seniors as a symbolic way of sharing love and blessings.

Envelopes for seniors usually contain from 400 yuan to 2,000 yuan ($58 to $290), while for children the figure starts at 100 yuan and can rise to as much as one wishes to give. Of course, the sum in the envelope mainly depends on the donor's financial situation.

Lin Kaichun, from Shantou, Guangdong, started receiving laisee when he was a little boy, but as he is still single only his grandparents and parents give him the gift now. Each envelope usually contains 800 yuan.

"In the past, my aunts and uncles gave me 200 yuan to 600 yuan each time, but the amount started to decline when I entered high school, and now they won't give me an envelope at Spring Festival until I am married," said the 25-year-old, who has worked for a media company in Beijing for 18 months.

He and his friends send electronic red envelopes to each other on WeChat when they cannot meet in person. E-payment is a growing trend in China as a result of its convenience and the development of the system.

"Despite that, physical red envelopes cannot be replaced; when people meet family or friends, they prefer to give a physical gift along with their good wishes, rather than tapping on a smartphone," Lin said.

"After all, the tradition has lasted a long time and is deeply rooted in Chinese culture."