Chinese New Year: The Red Envelope

Happy New Year or 新年快乐 . The celebration of the Chinese New Year has begun.  There are many interesting customs surrounding this special time in the Chinese calendar.  Even if you don’t adopt all of the ideas, you may find some fun new traditions for your family and gain an understanding of another culture along the way.  Be sure to check out our earlier post for more information about the Chinese New Year.

One of the customs that we have adopted (much to our children's delight) is the red envelope.  This envelope is filled with a bit of cash and the hope of prosperity and luck. 

To aid in your celebrating efforts we have created a red envelope printable for you to use.  Simply print this on some red paper or cardstock, embellish just a bit with gold marker.  Then you just need to glue where indicated and you are all set.

savour... year of the dragon

Get the rest after the jump...

Chinese New Year Red Envelopes

The templates:

Red Envelope Outside

Red Envelope Inside

 The steps:

1. Print the front or outside of the envelope on red paper or cardstock (8.5x11 inches).
2. Flip the paper over and print the back or inside of the envelope.  The images have been centered and aligned to print properly.
3. Cut out the template using the front side as your guide.  Trim away as much of the black lines as possible.
4. Using a gold marker, outline the images on the front and back of the paper.
5. Using a craft knife cut slits along the two horizontal lines for the closure.
6. Fold over the flaps and crease.
7. With the dragon image face up, fold the left side of the card over onto the right side.
8. Apply glue to the flaps and fold over to seal.
9. Fill with a bit of cash and close with the tab.

If the google docs link does not work for you, try this:  Download RedEnvelopeFront  Download RedEnvelopeBack

Have fun and for more Chinese New Year facts and fun be sure to check out this earlier Chinese New Year post.

 

 

Comments

[Nina]

Happy New Year 2012!
greetings from California! :)

[Tonia]

I love these not just for Chinese new year, but for anytime

[Mei Chiu]

Happy 2013. I found your site looking for red envelope templates. I really really like the textured red paper that you used. Is there a local store in San Francisco that you got it from? Or did you order it online?

Regards,

Mei

[Sam]

Happy 2013 Mei Chiu!
You will find the paper at Michael's Craft Store. They are nationwide. I hope they have a store in San Francisco. Let me know how it turns out.

[Mei]

Hey again -

Finally got around to making these, and writing up a blog post. I changed the silhouette of the animal (to a snake, of course for 2013) and chose the character for harmony.

I didn't like 100% how my design turned out, so I'm thinking about giving it another try.

Thanks again so much for the template.

Best,

Mei

http://momslifeinevanstonil.us/keepsake-hong-bao-2013/