Festive tradition holds firm over thousands of years

Chen Cuilan, a white collar worker in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, spent 8,000 yuan ($1,180) in crisp notes she withdrew from a bank near her home before Spring Festival on giving hongbao, or "red envelopes".

"In addition to 2,000 yuan for my parents and another 2,000 yuan for my parents-in-law, most of the money was given to my two children and the kids of my relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbors during the Lunar New Year holiday that began on Feb 5," the 40-year-old mother of a son and a daughter said.

"Every year, I give my parents, parents-in-law and the children I know hongbao when the Lunar New Year, the biggest Chinese festival, arrives," Chen said.