January 22 marks the start of the Lunar New Year in 2023, an auspicious time for many people.
We’ve rounded up an assortment of fun products to celebrate the year of the rabbit.
Check out all of our gift guides for more ideas.
In 2023, the Lunar New Year starts on January 22, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit. Observers traditionally celebrate with family reunions and dinners.
Also known as Chinese New Year, it is a two-week event, ending with the Lantern Festival on February 5. It is also celebrated by Koreans (Seollal), Vietnamese (Tet), Tibetans (Losar), Mongolians (Tsagaan Sar), and others. There may be cultural differences, but they all share similar values that anybody can take part in. In addition, Chinese New Year is a two-week event, ending with the Lantern Festival on February 5.
Although gifting isn’t a significant part of the event, there is the giving of money-filled red envelopes, often from adults to children, which signify the bestowing of good fortune. Otherwise, gifting tends to revolve around small meaningful items, such as fruit (oranges, in particular) and candy. Even if you don’t celebrate, we’ve curated a list of fun gifts to mark the year of the rabbit.
A box of sweet oranges makes a simple yet best gift
Harry and David
Harry & David Triple Treat Deluxe Fruit
Oranges are considered symbols of good luck and are often given as gifts during Lunar New Year. Tangerines, mandarins, apples, pears, and most other fruits also make great gifts.
A Lego set you can display every Lunar New Year
Lego
Lego Lunar New Year Display
A fun way for Lego fans to celebrate the Lunar New Year — dismantle and rebuild it every year. Small features represent the important aspects of the occasion.
It’s also the Year of the Cat
Swarovski
Swarovski Lucky Cat Ornament
If you’re celebrating Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, then it’s the year of the cat, not the rabbit (the rabbit isn’t part of the Vietnamese version of the zodiac). Fortunately, there are plenty of lucky cat items to choose from.
Satisfy the sweet tooth
Sugarfina
Sugarfina Lunar Garden New Year 2-Piece Candy Bento Box
You’ll often see trays of candy set out during Chinese New Year celebrations. It’s a hit with kids, naturally.
Cook an authentic meal
Amazon
“Every Grain of Rice” by Fuchsia Dunlop
“Vietnamese Food Any Day” by Andrea Nguyen
“Korean Home Cooking” by Sohui Kim
Asian families who celebrate the Lunar New Year will cook big meals at home. Make a few authentic dishes using recipes from one of these terrific books on Asian cookery.
A glowing look for the new year
Sephora
Pat McGrath Labs Venus in Fleurs Luxe Eyeshadow Quad
This special-edition compact from Pat McGrath Labs’ Lunar New Year collection includes four eyeshadows, buildable in matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes.
A stuffed bunny for the youngest members in your celebration
Macy’s
Holiday Lane Lunar New Year Plush Rabbit with Bib
The year of the rabbit lends itself to a variety of cute bunny-centric products, like this stuffed toy that’s perfect for kids or kids at heart.
Serve a post-dinner tea
Harney and Sons
Harney & Sons Lunar New Year 2023 Tea
Tea drinking is a revered tradition in Asia, and you’ll find oolong tea served during the New Year. For its 2023 Lunar New Year blend, Harney took inspiration from the “nian gao” sweet rice cake that’s eaten around this time, with hints of caramel, sesame, and coconut.
Load up on dumplings for prosperity
Fly By Jing
Fly By Jing Soup Dumpling Starter Pack
Dumplings (jiaoxi in Mandarin Chinese) are eaten during Chinese New Year because they symbolize wealth (reminiscent of gold ingots used in imperial China). Get these from Fly By Jing, which includes their popular chili crisp. Be sure to pair everything with noodles for longevity.
A playful app that teaches kids about Lunar New Year traditions
Pok Pok
Pok Pok Playroom
This educational app uses play as a way to teach. A recent update added a Lunar New Year component that teaches kids about the traditions and foods of this celebration.
A lucky charm to keep you prosperous
Kurt Geiger
Kurt Geiger Rabbit Charm Keyring
Lunar New Year celebrations happen just once, but the year of the rabbit lasts the whole year (until the dragon enters in 2024). Among many things, the rabbit symbolizes intellect and the ability to turn misfortunes around. Attach this lucky charm to your bag or keys for prosperity and cuteness.
A cast iron cookware upgraded for the year of the rabbit
Zwilling
Zwilling Staub 6-quart Round Cocotte with Rabbit Knob
While this may look like a typical Staub cast iron pot, there’s a knob in the shape of a rabbit to add some Lunar New Year whimsy to your cookware. If you don’t own a wok, a cast iron vessel is a nice alternative for stir-fried foods. Plus: Blue is also considered a lucky color, especially when paired with green.
Brush away bad luck while bringing in the good
NARS
NARS Lunar New Year Brush Set
You’ll see a lot of red during the Lunar New Year, and that’s because the color symbolizes good fortune. These red-handle makeup brushes come with a matching case, bringing good luck and health into your well-being whenever you use them.
Eat noodles to live a long life
Rebecca Fondren/Getty Images
Whee! Noodles
Noodles are often served during the Lunar New Year as they represent longevity. The Chinese dish is called just that, Longevity Noodles, which is often made with egg noodles. Try a Japanese twist: Use buckwheat noodles in a soup called Toshikoshi Soba or New Year’s Eve Soba. For those who have gone plant-based, check out these options from Immi.
A limited Lunar New Year edition of premium Scotch
Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Rabbit Edition
Alcohol is symbolic in that it represents good health and longevity. Although not Asian in origin, Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label blended Scotch whisky is popular during banquets and other celebrations. If you can’t get hold of the Year of the Rabbit edition, the regular Blue Label will still be a hit.
Custom rice bowls for new year’s dinner
Our Place
Our Place Rice Bowl Set
Trendy home goods purveyor Our Place has a set of four rice bowls with a custom design — part of its limited-edition Year of the Rabbit collection that also includes a red version of its Instagram-famous Always Pan and Perfect Pot. This bowl set comes with four pairs of chopsticks and four chopstick rests.
A crystal rabbit sculpture that doubles as an art piece
Lalique
Lalique Toulouse Rabbit Sculpture in Pink Crystal
This resting rabbit is a splurge, but what you get is a beautiful glass art piece that you can display after the celebrations are over. The pink version is limited to 188 pieces, while other colors are more affordable ($650).
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Swedish twist
IKEA
IKEA Fössta Red Rabbit Doormat
IKEA has a limited-edition series of home goods called Fössta that’s all about the year of the rabbit. This doormat is a fun way to greet guests throughout the year. The collection won’t be restocked, so grab them soon.
Lunar New Year for chocolate lovers
See’s Candies
See’s Candies Lunar New Year Assorted Chocolates
Chocolates and cookies are often given during the Lunar New Year. This box from renowned California chocolate maker See’s has a nice assortment.
Add a lucky plant to your home
Rooted
Rooted Money Plant
Even if you aren’t planning a celebration you can still partake in some low-key traditions, like growing a Chinese money plant, also known as pilea peperomioides.
A cold, refreshing beer that pairs well with dinner
Drizly
Tsingtao (12-pack)
This crisp, German-style lager from China goes surprisingly well with not just Chinese and Asian cuisines but Western ones, too. And, green is a lucky color that symbolizes wealth, health, and harmony.
A gin from Vietnam to toast to Tet
Sông Cái Distillery
Sông Cái Dry Gin
A gin made from heirloom Vietnamese ingredients and distillery equipment, Sông Cái offers a spirit that’s uniquely different from traditional gin. Mix it with tonic water and it’s a great way to ring in Tet.
