The Year of the Snake is upon us.
One of the most important rituals when ushering in the new year is the exchanging of red envelopes, also known as ang baos. Typically given by elders to younger generations, these red packets are a tradition that symbolises wishes of good luck and prosperity. While some adults may have forgone the privilege of receiving them, the range of gifts has diversified, extending beyond money packets and taking the form of more thoughtful and exciting presents—hampers.
Eliminate the stress of shopping and get inventive with your Chinese New Year offerings with the following recommendations that promise luxury and opulence—from Glenfiddich’s prestigious beverages to sweet treats from Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
In case you missed it, here’s a guide to our curation of snake jewellery to gift this season.
Discover these gift ideas to get your loved ones this Chinese New Year 2025:
Glenfiddich
As a family-owned business since its inauguration in 1887, Glenfiddich definitely knows a thing or two about creating a memorable gathering with loved ones. This year, the distillery collaborated with contemporary ink artist Zhang Yu to present a collection of gifts decorated with a vibrant and harmonious illustration that imagines the meeting of Glenfiddich’s iconic stag and the mythical Nine-Coloured Deer. Each set contains one bottle of whiskey and a set of drinking glasses—nosing or rock glasses. The whiskey offerings range from the brand’s 12 to 21-year-old variants.
Visit whisky retail outlets and premium establishments across Malaysia to purchase. For more info, check out the website here.
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Trust Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur to help you create an impressive celebration with their superb dining deals and generous gift packages. For the Year of the Snake, go ahead and explore these impressive gift sets—Fortune, Oriental and Prosperity. The first is a curation destined for any with a sweet tooth, where you can find delightful treats like Mandarin Marmalade Jam and an assortment of cookies. As for the second assemblage, you will uncover a variety of sweet and savoury options, with additions like Lai Po Heen’s Chicken Floss and Signature XO Sauce. The third will be an extension of the Oriental Gift Set, with premium tea, Australian abalone and an option to include a bottle of wine.
Visit kualalumpur.mandarinorientalshop.com to purchase.
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Living up to its title, the Luxe Prosperity gift box is filled with an abundance of treats. Among the wide array of selections, you will find a Tempus Two Shiraz red wine, a six-head abalone, Hokkaido dried scallop, Dragon Beard cookies and sea moss, all encased in a nifty red box. There’s no better way to show your appreciation for a beloved with this trove of irresistible goodies from Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur.
Visit boutique.shangri-la.com to purchase.
Read more: Celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 with these exciting capsule collection items.
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur’s limited edition Opulence Trunk brings a classy and sophisticated edge to the Lunar New Year with its auspicious red crates in tan highlights. Housed in these trunks are an exquisite selection of rice cakes—nian gao—in sets of four, gourmet sauces in two sets of six, traditional Chinese New Year cookies and bon bons, and Da Hong Pao tea. If you’d like to add on a bottle of whiskey, The Macallan’s A Night on Earth comes with an additional RM1,132.08.
Visit stregiskl.oddle.me to purchase.
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara’s Golden Fortune Box is a treasure chest of delicacies that celebrate the customary teatime treats of the Lunar New Year. The selection includes pu’er (fermented) tea, Master Chef Heng’s Signature Chilli Sauce, buttery pineapple tarts, cashew nuts, and mandarin oranges for gatherings.
Visit sofitel-kualalumpur-damansara.com to purchase.
Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur
For a more contemporary take on Chinese New Year desserts, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s delectable cakes are the answer. If you are a lover of zesty flavours when it comes to confectionery, opt for the Citrus Sugee Cake, delightfully packaged in a display box with drawers as the base that opens up to reveal an assortment of chocolate pralines. For individual cakes, there is the Fook—Cantonese pronunciation for the word that represents ‘good fortune’ and ‘blessings’—Nian Gao and Fook Radish Cake with the Chinese character embossed on top.
Call 012-399-5021 or email to fbkl@concorde.net to order.
Venchi
This Lunar New Year, Venchi’s festive collection is all about elegance—from the stylish boxes with swooping and swirling motifs that resemble the snake to using the finest ingredients that ensure a lavish and rich taste. The offerings, such as the Treasure Box and Large Double Layer with Chocolates, take different forms of packaging that are exciting to unpack. Get your hands on these stunning treats and share the sweetness this season.
Treasure Box with Chocolates: RM428
Large Double Layer with Chocolates: RM668
Visit their stores in The Exchange TRX and Pavilion KL to purchase.
All images credited to respective brands.
