10 Gifts to Give This Chinese New Year

Come bearing the right gifts and this lunar year could be a prosperous one ahead

You dog, you! Even if you’re not born in the Year of the Dog, the Chinese zodiac declares this can be a prosperous lunar new year for you… as long as you come bearing the right gifts. In 2018, Chinese New Year falls on February 16th, so we all have a little extra time to get our hair cut, buy new shoes, clean our homes and shop for the occasion.

Here are 10 great gift suggestions…

1. Hunter Women’s Original Refined Adjustable Short Gloss Rain Boots

My mom always said to buy a new pair of shoes before the lunar new year and the fact that these are a deep, glossy red… well, that just means they’re extra lucky. These handcrafted, waterproof, rubber boots are a bit slimmer than the original shortie, with an adjustable buckle at the back. Perfect for sloshing through the city visiting friends and relatives.
Available at The Bay and online, $195

2. Baccarat Crystal Dog Figurine

From French crystal master Baccarat, this elegant crystal dog figurine is perfect for anyone born under this sign or for collectors in general.
Available at Atkinson’s of Vancouver; Gold: $470, Clear: $340

3. TWG Breakfast Bulldog Tea

Start your day off with a cuppa Breakfast Bulldog tea from TWG. This limited edition black tea is bold and full-bodied with just the prefect undertones of sweetness… like the perfect bulldog. Packaged beautifully in a festive, ready-for-gifting fuchsia canister and box.
Available at TWG Tea, $48

4. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

First Care Activating Serum has been the number one serum for the past 20 consecutive years in Korea… the land of beautiful skin. For the year of the dog, they’ve brought out a limited edition larger size with decorative packaging. Made with rare botanicals such as peony, lotus and white lily, this serum brings radiance and energy to the face. Use as your first step immediately after cleansing.
Available at Nordstrom, $145

5. Links of London Dog Charm

Even if you’re not born in the year of the dog, embrace all of the animal’s best qualities—kind, loyal, sincere—with this sterling silver and 18-karat yellow gold vermeil Chinese zodiac dog charm. An adorable addition to your collection and always a sign of good fortune.
Available at Links of London, $105

6. YSL Blush Volupté Hope & Joy Chinese New Year Special Edition

Inspiration for this limited edition Chinese New Year blush palette is the meihua, a flower symbolizing hope and joy. Gift this to any beauty aficionado and you’ll be in their good graces for the whole year. Who wouldn’t want to hold this gleaming gold case emblazoned with bold red petals and falling blossoms. Inside are shades of pink: a bright fuchsia to bestow power and a soft coral to inspire kindness.
Available at Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom and yslbeauty.ca, $70

7. Saje Energy Collection

Another lunar new year tradition is cleaning your home to make room for fresh starts. Reinforce those good vibes by layering the Energy collection from Saje. With notes of peppermint, lemon and rosemary, this lively and refreshing scent will keep spirits—and fortunes—uplifted all year long. Start with the oil for your diffuser to gently waft this scent throughout your home, reinforce that with the mist and, when you’re on the go, tuck the nasal inhaler into your purse or pocket for a quick (and discreet) burst of all the right feels.
Available at Saje stores and online; Diffuser oil: $14.95, Mist: $14.95, Nasal inhaler: $9.95

8. Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac

If you’ve ever attended an authentic Chinese New Year celebration, you know the cognac will be flowing. Bring one of these limited edition bottles and you’ll be guaranteed a large piece of the fish… a very good thing. The Cordon Bleu is a unique cognac that’s smooth and mellow, with notes of caramelized plums, apples and gingerbread.
Available at select B.C. Liquor Stores, $235

9. Sugarfina Chinese New Year Two-piece Bento Box

Sweets are a common gift during this holiday and no one does grown-up, covetable sweets like Sugarfina. For Chinese New Year, they’re celebrating the Year of the Dog with a red and gold foil box filled with two candies that will bring good fortune to those who eat them: Peach Blossoms (sweet and tart gummies filled with juicy peach nectar) and Gold Chocolate Pearls (chocolates dipped in a shimmery gold candy shell).
Available at Sugarfina and online, $24.95

10. Fjällräven Kanken Original

Instead of handing out little red envelopes, hand out this beautiful backpack in deep red and you’ll be remembered for years… possibly decades. That’s how long this now iconic backpack will last. It also wouldn’t hurt if you slipped $20 into one of the pockets.
Available at Fjällräven and Indigo, $95