“No Monkey Business” Red Packets (Ang Bao) Worth Collecting For 2016

This year we decided to do a feature story about Red Packets (Ang Pows or 红包）. It all started out with  a story on Red Packets with Monkey designs since the new year is going to be the year of the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac. You can read that feature story here.

In the end we received many red packets with evergreen designs that can be used for any other auspicious occasions besides the Lunar New Year. So here they are categorised into different themes.

Ang Baos With A Carrying Case

Here are some ang baos that came with a carrying case or pouch that complements the design. This makes it easy to separate the more “precious” red packets from the rest. There is no room for error when it comes to distributing ang baos during Chinese New Year.

The ang bao set that stands out within this category will have to be Harbour City, the largest mall in Hong Kong. The red packet designs are super chic & classy. The pouch is so beautifully made and you can use it as your everyday pouch and no one will suspect its a freebie. Kudos to Harbour City for making amazing premiums and we look forward to receiving them whenever the mall produces a new one as part of its regular mall promotions.

Singapore’s VivoCity has a set which is pretty too. They are given out to customers as part of a gift with purchase redemption.

Ang Baos Designed For the Kid In You

These cartoon ang baos are perfect for kids and those adults who are into anything cute. Base Entertainment has created these Shrek, The Musical ang baos to promote the musical which will be performed at the Grand Theatre at MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands from 8 to 19 June 2016. The red packet with Shrek on it may be a little to creepy to giveaway, even for adults but we think the ginger bread man one is so cute.

Putien restaurant gives out red packets to its diners. This red packet features a cute illustration of a rather happy and generous prosperity God. Part of the body of the monkey can be seen on the top left corner of this red packet. We weren’t too sure why the monkey has been cut off.

3D Designed Ang Baos

Nespresso and OCBC bank have thought out of the box this year. Their 3D designed red packets give the receivers a chance to appreciate the ang baos before opening up for the cash within. That 3D Nespresso capsule makes you crave for a cup of coffee right now!

Multi-Coloured Ang Baos

There is no better way to mark the different values inside the red packets with different coloured envelopes. Here are the multi-coloured ang baos that you can get. The AXA ones are not just gorgeously designed, it even comes with green coloured packets that will be ideal when attending Malay weddings.

Those from Crystal Jade come in two parts. An outer cover with the Chinese character Luck cut out looking into the envelope inside. We love the bright colours.

This year Gardens by the Bay has designed a simple red packet in three different colours of what looks like tree branches and flowers on them.

Changi Airport Group’s red packets depict the creatures from within the airport. You can enjoy the flight of butterflies at the Butterfly Garden or the Koi ponds inside Changi Airport.

ESET, antivirus software company, has produced a set of brightly coloured red packets this year.  One in pink and another in orange, these red packets come with another envelope within that is either coloured blue or a shiny material that adds colour when enclosed within the outer cover with the Chinese character of Luck cut out.

Quirky Ang Baos

Valentine’s Day is just round the corner. It will be fun to offer this KISS FM ang baos and steal a Kiss from your love ones.

Elegantly Designed Ang Baos

These classic & elegant red packets will never go “out of fashion”. You will also need to keep a few of these in the drawer in case of “emergencies”. We were surprised to receive red packets from Qatar Airways. We were not expecting a Middle Eastern airline to produce such a pretty red packet design.

These simple yet elegant ang pows from UnionPay are understated yet perfect for any occasion. We love the die cut on the flap of the red packet.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has produced these elegant yet simple red packets where the flap at the back fits nicely into the die cut flower.

Tan Chong Motors have printed these red packets for the spring season. The words Spring are printed on the top right corner as well as at the back middle portion. Flowers depicting plum or perhaps cherry blossoms fill up the rest of the red packet.

We love the red packets from Conrad Centennial Singapore. The painting designs cut through the clutter of red packets that we are used to seeing. And these came in time with the new Conrad Mascot Bear designs. Read about that here.

Pan Pacific Singapore printed these good luck red packets with cherry or plum blossoms. Simple yet elegant.

Expedia’s red packets come in two designs. Both are made up of two pieces – an outer envelope with a die cut luggage shape which looks into the inner envelope.

These red packets from American Express feature a Peranakan motif in the back ground. Well at least that is how we feel and we love it.

These red packets from Swissotel and Fairmont Singapore are evergreen with the words “Luck” in mandarin printed on the front. Guess the hotel can offer these to wedding couples who hold the wedding banquets at Swissotel and Fairmont.

Here’s another simple design that can be used for almost any occasion. Canon Singapore’s design this year is one of simple elegance.

The Fullerton Heritage, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore has stuck the the traditional Chinese character of Luck printed on the red packet with touches of gold and red patterns. Beautifully done.

Raffles Singapore has picked a landscape envelope instead of the usual portrait ones for its red packets this year. Elegantly worded with a lot of space on the red packet, making it perfect for writing congratulatory notes on it before giving out to the lucky recipient.

This year’s red packets from The Westin Singapore also take a landscape format. The textured paper has only the brand printed on the front, while the flap is red foil embossed with floral motifs while a floral designed die cut holds the flap tight so that the contents in the red pocket do not drop out. Also one of those red packets that are great for writing congratulatory messages.