These Are Hong Kong’s Best Red Envelopes for the Year of the Horse
The top ranked lai see scored points for creativity, artistry and attention to detail.
Red packets from Hermes, clockwise from bottom left, UBS, Standard Chartered Private Bank, Rolex, Cathay Pacific, and HKEX.
Photographer: Justin Chin/BloombergMost people who receive red envelopes are immediately interested in their contents (cold, hard cash). But in Hong Kong, there’s a strong appreciation for well-designed lai see that are handed out over the Lunar New Year and other special occasions like birthdays and weddings.
If the secondhand marketplace is any indication, the most popular red packets this year are from HSBC Private Bank, with Carousell showing a 37% match rate within a week (giving new meaning to a quick buck for the year of the horse), followed by Disney (31%) and UBS (28%). “Our users are likely drawn to lai see with strong brand recognition, premium or collectible status, and visually attractive designs,” a Carousell representative said in an emailed statement.