Paper craft for the chinese new year, hongbao pockets or red envelopes.

They are used to put the lucky money which is offered for the chinese new year (to bachelors, kids or teens), or birthdays. Sometimes old people even give lucky money to young folks on their own birthdays. Hongbaos bring luck. Repaying a debt with part of the money brings luck too.

The envelope's legend dates from the Sung dynasty. A village was terrified by a huge bad spirit. Nobody, even the greatest warriors could defeat him. It's a young orphan, armed with a magic sword who fought and killed him. To thank him, the oldest inhabitants of the village offered him red pockets full of money.

Click on the miniature image of your choice below to go to the printable page.
Each image prints on one sheet of letter size paper. Print (on red paper for the b&w if you wish), cut ang glue. That's all !

Chinese New year activities, games, crafts, stationery, cooking, decorating and informations, zodiac, horoscope, legends, partying, ...