Six Auspicious (and Delicious) Gifts To Bring to Lunar New Year Celebrations

Photo: Design by Ella Witchell

As the Year of the Snake arrives, so does a flurry of reunion dinners, drinks and get-togethers. In partnership with Liquorland, we’ve rounded up the best gifts to bring – from baijiu to bak kwa and Raya’s cute fortune “Kewkies”.

Invited to a Lunar New Year celebration? Instead of arriving empty-handed, ring in luck and abundance by bringing a gift for your host and fellow guests.

The season calls for a thoughtful gift that embodies prosperity and good fortune. Sharing blessings is a big part of the festivities, so something that can go around the table is ideal. Finding a gift that ticks all the boxes can be intimidating, but we’ve got a few suggestions that will save you hours of research.

A plush bottle of red

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This bold and spice-kissed 2019 cabernet shiraz from Penfolds is meant to be savoured with good food and good company. Heavy on dark liquorice, blackcurrant and plum, with hints of chocolate and oak, its rich notes add a layer of depth to meat dishes – think juicy roasts, bak kwa (or rou gan, a dried pork dish) or a hearty hotpot – but you don’t have to worry about it overpowering the food. A hallmark of the Barossa Valley region, big-bodied vintage reds are perfect for toasting to good fortune.

Bak kwa

Bak kwa is a smoked jerky with a deep red, sweet-salty XO glaze (red is an auspicious colour in China, said to counter negative energies). Sydney-based specialist Roastd Funkd cures, marinates and barbeques Malaysian pork and beef bak kwa in-house, with different spice levels on offer. Opt for a large packet so you don’t have to fight over the addictive, charry end-bits. Roastd Funkd ships around New South Wales but, for those celebrating elsewhere, it has a number of online stockists – including this Asian supply store, which stocks a range of festive goodies.

A timeless cognac

Lunar New Year is a celebration of tradition, so you can’t go wrong with a bottle of cognac. VSOP cognacs (which stands for “very superior old pale”) are aged for at least four years in oak barrels, where the amber spirit absorbs the notes of the wood. The honeyed Hennessy VSOP makes for a pleasant digestif after a Chinese feast, with notes of cloves and cinnamon that exude warmth. Cognac lovers and newcomers alike will appreciate this nuanced and delicate blend – and the red-and-gold packaging is on point for the festivities.

A box of traditional cookies

It’s the season of snacking and, during celebrations, homes will often have a designated snack table laden with goodies like pineapple tarts, love letters (thin, folded crepes), prawn crackers and more. Raya’s boxes of Lunar New Year cookies (or “Kewkies”) will fit right in. They include Chinese walnut and miso-peanut flavours that everyone can share, plus a pair of spiced fortune cookies and jammy pineapple cakes that you can save just for the host – what a sweet gesture.

Chinese baijiu

If you’re looking to impress, bring along a bottle of baijiu. The term “baijiu” actually encompasses a variety of grain-distilled spirits made across China and now gaining popularity in the West. Afficionados will know that Kweichow Moutai is the gold standard, typically enjoyed at celebrations. Kweichow’s signature Flying Fairy Baijiu is a tropical number with pear, pineapple, guava and kiwi aromas, and a floral, herbaceous finish. This special bottle has limited availability, but you’ll find it in select Liquorland stores. By far the priciest item on this list, it’s an investment – but a worthy bottle for a special occasion.

Well-wishing tea

A time-honoured New Year tradition is serving sweet tea to the elder members of the family. In Chinese culture, tea symbolises good health and longevity. Grab some from Tea Journal, a tea cafe with an extensive selection of pu’er, oolong, green, white and herbal tea leaves imported from the Yunnan mountains – and it ships Australia-wide. Ask your host in advance if they have a tea set you can use to serve. While it has an approachable pricepoint, it brings an elegant touch to any gathering and goes great with snacks and chitchat.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Liquorland. Browse more gifts for Lunar New Year at Liquorland, available online and in select stores while stocks last.

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Liquorland

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Liquorland
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