Give a gift of fortune and luck with these DIY Chinese New Year envelopes

18 Jan 2023

This year we celebrate the year of the Rabbit. On January 22 you can celebrate the Chinese New Year and give a gift to loved ones with these lucky DIY red envelopes. In the Chinese culture, red is considered the colour of luck. Often when the new year arrives, red outfits are worn to visit relatives and friends, to exchange blessings and gifts. Children will often receive red paper envelopes filled with cash notes symbolising that bad luck is driven away and good fortune is passed on.

Why not have a go at joining in the new year celebrations and making something special for your loved ones.

What you will need:

• Card
• Paintbrush, including a thin craft paintbrush
• Scissors
• PVA glue
• Resene paint testpots in two red shades of your choice and one shade for the writing. Fleur used Resene Red Berry and Resene Red Hot, and she used Resene Gold Dust for the writing and picture.

Step 1: Start by painting your card all over with your darker shade of red. Before this base colour dries, paint over it with your lighter shade of red. Fleur used Resene Red Berry and Resene Red Hot to make the pattern. You can make eclipse shapes or you could try swirls, circles, stipes, spots – whatever you like!

Step 2: Once the paint is dry, cut out the shape of an envelope. You can find an envelope template online to help with the shape.

Step 3: Use a thin craft paintbrush and your chosen colour to paint on the words ‘Happy new year’ and ‘2023’. Fleur used Resene Gold Dust metallic paint. Also, paint on a stylised rabbit (2023 is the year of the rabbit).

Step 4: Fold the envelope into shape and glue the flaps down. Insert some money or a special message and give to a lucky person!

project and images Fleur Thorpe

Published: 18 Jan 2023