THIS Chinese New Year, there is no room for gloom and doom - especially when it comes to handing out red packets.
Singaporean couples told my paper that they have no intention to stint on hongbao and are setting aside between $800 and $2,000 this festive season. They say they are still giving at least $2 to $6 per hongbao. The main reason?
There is no reason to cut back on the tradition just because of the economic downturn. Some felt little impact from the crisis, while others feel that the amount for the red packets will not burn a hole in their pockets.
Polytechnic lecturer Andrew Ang, 52, said: 'As long as I can still afford my current lifestyle, I do not see the need at this point to skimp on hongbao.'
'Doing so will only reinforce the negative sentiments and dampen the spirit of the celebrations.' He sets aside $1,000 for over 30 hongbao every year.
Mrs Chew Eng Seng, 50, a housewife, echoed the sentiment. Her budget starts from $1,500 for 50 hongbao.
'Since I'm not badly affected by the crisis, there's no reason to give smaller hongbao,' she said. Some continue to give out big hongbao because of sentimental reasons.
Madam Ang Kiat Meng, 54, a housewife, does not want to 'disappoint' her relatives by cutting down her $1,000 budget for the red packets.
Others like Ms Winnie Ang, 46, just want to make sure that her relatives who receive the red packets will not be hit by the economic downturn.
'I won't be changing the amounts I put in the hongbao, so that the receivers will not be affected by the crisis on my part,' she said.
