A tradition for New Years that Mark and I started last year is something that is very special to me. It is a takeoff from the Chinese for their New year (or weddings) where they give a Red Envelope or Red Packet to children and elders (or at weddings) filled with a monetary gift. We incorporated that idea to ring in the New Year.
This year all the kids and my mom have asked me if we are doing it again. The Red Envelope signifies Good Luck in the new year. We fill the envelopes with $8 which also has a meaning. The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit. The number 8 is considered lucky and believed to bring Good Luck. In accordance with Chinese beliefs we have incorporated this and adopted it for our family. Last year I put a word (happiness, prosperity, wealth, etc. ) on the front of each envelope as blessings to each person. At midnight we passed them out to everyone with the intention that the $8 would be spent any which way they wanted.
Last year we took a family day out at Old Town in San Diego where each person spent their money in a special way. It was fun to see the kids, my parents and Mark pick out their special items. It was a special tradition that we were unaware we were even starting.
This year I am doing the same. I even have some Chinese Joss paper that I had on hand that I am using. Joss Paper is gold paper also known as ghost money that is burned in Chinese tradition during ceremonies during special holidays. I thought it was important to use this beautiful paper to add a glitter to the cards & envelopes.
I love making the cards/envelopes by hand and giving them out at midnight to all those I love. Here is the cards & handmade envelopes I made this year:
Materials:
- Helmar Premium Craft Glue
- Red Cardstock (Bazzill)
- Joss Paper (rub on cardstock for gold glittered effect)
- Ribbon
- Stayz On & Letter Stamps
- Gold Embossing Powder
Happy New Year to you all and may peace, prosperity and happiness come your way for the New Year.
My Motto for 2011 – "In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take, the relationships we were too scared too have and the decisions we waited to long too make. There comes a time in your life when you realise who matter, who doesn't, and who always will. So don't worry about the people from your past there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance take it. If it changes your life let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it." ~ McMillen (author Unknown – many variations on this quote)