The Best Luxury Gifts for Chinese Lunar New Year 2020

January 25, 2020 is the start of the Lunar New Year in Chinese culture. It’s the Year of the Rat, which may make finding the perfect luxury gift seem a bit daunting. Fear not, dear reader! Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has a curated list of the best luxury gifts for the 2020 Lunar New Year, and an overview of gift giving etiquette rules for Chinese New Year.

what are the best luxury gifts for the Year of the Rat?

One quarter of the world’s population is getting ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year on January 25th. This is the Year of the Rat, the first animal of the Chinese zodiac, representing wisdom and compassion.

People born in the Year of the Rat are known for being intelligent, charming, quick-witted, practical and ambitious. Some of our dearest friends and relatives were born in the Year of the Rat and we can attest that these attributes are indeed accurate. But when it comes to buying a Lunar New Year gift with a rodent front and center…well, we had our misgivings.

We couldn’t wait to see how luxury design houses interpreted this animal, which, at least in city environs, has a challenging image problem to overcome. But from what we have seen, there’s nothing to be scared of. If you’re shopping for someone who celebrates Lunar New Year or want to buy a keepsake to commemorate your own sign, here are the most captivating Year of the Rat luxury gifts we found.

gift giving etiquette rules for chinese new year 

Before you go shopping for that perfect gift, though, there are a few norms, superstitions and rules you should be aware of. Here are the key gift giving etiquette rules for Chinese New Year.

the chinese take homonyms very seriously.

These words all have an inauspicious homonym, so avoid these items as gifts:

• Clocks and watches: sounds like “attending a funeral”
• Shoes: sounds like the word for “evil”
• Umbrellas and fans: sounds like “separate”
• Pears: sounds like another word for “separate”
• Anything in denominations of 4: sounds like “death”

other taboo gifts are based on symbolism.

In addition, some other items should be avoided as gifts based on what they symbolize.

• Sharp objects like knives and scissors represent cutting off a relationship.
• Mirrors are fragile and can be broken easily.
• Wallets symbolize giving your own fortune away.
• White and black are colors associated with funerals, so avoid gifting objects in these colors.

We know – it’s a lot to remember!

No worries, dear reader. We’ve combed through this year’s offerings to bring you a gift guide that will show your cultural understanding, respect and affection for that special person celebrating Lunar New Year.

Just one more rule – don’t forget to present your gift with both hands!

the best luxury gifts for chinese lunar new year 2020

1. Key Holder and Bag Charms

We always look forward to seeing the animal zodiac charms from luxury handbag designers. They’re usually irresistible and thankfully, available at an achievable price point for gifting.

Coach’s 3-D leather rat ($145) is red, of course, to symbolize good luck, happiness and good fortune. “Rita the Rat” Pouch Key Ring ($178) from Tory Burch is chubby and playful and in a bright mango color which will brighten any boring work totes. Louis Vuitton’s take on the Year of Rat ($480)  is refined with their distinctive monogram in a handsome, dark monochrome colorway.

2. Clothing

Although you could always gift an item of clothing in the auspicious colors of red or gold, these limited edition Lunar New Year capsules have an air of exclusivity while being surprisingly wearable.

Givenchy’s capsule features an abstract 4-G logo comprised of four rats in an edgy and artsy motif. Marni has worked the rat into charming and whimsical tees, knitwear ($750) and accessories that have a retro vibe. New Yorkers and the Twitterverse might recall the escapades of the infamous subway pizza rat. The ingenious little fella served as inspiration for Rag & Bone’s Lunar New Year capsule featuring tops, sneakers, wallets and hats with a pizza rat patch.

3. Watches

Despite our note about clocks and watches having some negative cultural connotations, there are some seriously gorgeous limited-edition watches released each year for the Lunar New Year. So perhaps many are willing to overlook that particular taboo.

Chopard ($24,500) highlights the ancestral Japanese art of Urushi to create the dial of this nature-inspired L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rat timepiece. The dial of the Piaget Antiplano ($61,500) gives two milky white cloisonné enamel rats the royal treatment with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds.

4. Handbags

A handbag with a red envelope tucked inside is an unbeatable Lunar New Year gift combo. Disney teams up with Gucci again this year with- who else- but Mickey Mouse. The iconic GG Supreme canvas has been updated with the most famous mouse in the world.

Chloe ($330) presents an elevated, painterly rat in lovely rainbow hues by artist Julie Verhoeven, a British illustrator. This creamy white leather purse will be a sweet addition to any Spring outfit. Longchamp’s collaboration with Chinese fashion blogger, Mr. Bags ($125 for mini size to $665 for largest size) features a bold cheese print and a subtle, yet cheeky detail where the leather flap has a piece “bitten” off.

Avoiding the rat altogether, Dior depicts a rising phoenix embroidered in a luxe red on their limited edition Lunar New Year mini bag ($4,900). We spied the gorgeous motif on their must-have book tote and saddle bag in press releases as well, so stay tuned for when they actually hit the stores.

5. Crystal

Crystal memorabilia makes for a neutral and respectful gift for business associates.

Baccarat’s elegantly rendered rat figurine ($158) captures the inquisitive and mischievous spirit of this oft maligned creature. Swarovski’s version ($529) was designed in collaboration with artists from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. It is crafted in golden crystal with 677 glittering facets.

6. Confections

 A sweet New Year is easily guaranteed with these beautifully packaged candies. Sugarfina’s ($68) delectable box is inspired by iconic Asian fruits, flowers and flavors.

California-based See’s Candies ($23.25) presents their 26- piece chocolate assortment in a traditional red and gold box that’s perfect as a hostess gift. And of course, L.A Burdick’s chocolate mice ($34-$64) made of dark chocolate ganache and blended with a variety of essences seems tailor-made for the Year of the Rat.

7. Beauty

Rats and beauty products are not a likely duo. Which is why we thought these gifts particularly stand out. Estee Lauder’s Year of the Rat pressed powder compact ($200) suggests a rat adorably curled up. And it’s covered with bling, which always makes for a fun gift.

Kiehl’s set of their bestselling brightening products ($98) is presented in a festive red box featuring a rockabilly styled “Rocket the Rat.” It’s so well done that your gift recipient will likely hold on to the attractive box.

8. Scarves

Scarves can be veritable works of art. But will anyone want to wear art with rats on it? After seeing these, we think they will.

Paul Smith’s vibrant red silk scarf ($250) features a trio of rats in a fluid, watercolor-and-ink style that looks graceful and dynamic at the same time. MCM’s bandana scarf ($370) stylizes the rat with a witty and geometric repeat that looks crisp and modern. And Burberry’s silk twill scarf ($420) features their refreshed monogram with a subtle Year of the Rat detail and complemented by a pink star border.

9. Sneakers

If your gift recipient is a sneakerhead, you’re in luck. People closely follow and anticipate the releases of the limited edition Lunar New Year styles every year.

The Air Jordan 13 ($200) is inspired by ancient Chinese coins and features a coin imprint debossed throughout the leather upper. It is expected to arrive in stores and online at Nike by February 1st. The Adidas Superstar Clean “Year of the Rat” ($117) crisp white is accented with traditional Asian animal motifs in a painted graphic style. And yes, it features the rat- in a gold foil stamp on the tongue of the shoe.

We think the the 2nd color way of The Kyrie 6’s “Chinese New Year” collection ($130) is a particular standout for its use of the prestigious imperial Chinese colors of yellow and purple (instead of traditional reds and pinks). And for its other subtle nod to the holiday, via the floral and firework graphic.

10. Jewelry

 The rat may never rival Cartier’s panther or Gucci’s tiger but these pieces have a charm all their own. From Monica Vinader, this “Ronnie the Rat” gold vermeil rat pendant ($135) has a soft dome shape that is tasteful and simple.

Marni’s resin rat earrings ($290) resemble a familiar mouse and lend a taste of the unexpected to a polished ensemble. Instead of the ubiquitous horoscope constellation necklace, we love this abstract rat pendant from Shanghai Tang ($177) on hand-painted fuchsia enamel.

the best luxury gifts for the Year of the Rat

Pleasantly surprised by all the lovely Year of the Rat designs? So were we! We’ll try to remember that the next time we walk through the park at nighttime.Don’t forget to show good gift etiquette this Chinese New Year. And may you have a happy and fortuitous Lunar New Year!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, fitness and even investigating police misconduct. Julie lives in NYC where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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