Spring is a lovely time of year that many Hong Kongers look forward to, and it’s also a great time of year to visit. The weather is warm but still quite mild, and it’s not quite as humid as the summer months can be. The days are warm and balmy, and there will be spring showers now and then which don’t tend to last too long. Spring in Hong Kong is also a time for celebration. There are many holidays and festivals at this time of year which are a time traditionally spent with family and friends.
Whether you are throwing a party with everyone you know, are attending a work event to celebrate an occasion in spring, or simply want to choose the perfect gift for a friend’s birthday party, there are countless options to choose from. It is always nice if you can make a gift seasonally themed and appropriate for the occasion, and many spring events are steeped in tradition. This can make it a lot easier to choose something that will put smiles on faces.
Easter celebration gifts
Easter Sunday will be celebrated on 9th April in 2023 with Easter Monday being a public holiday. It is a time of renewal and many gifts reflect this in their themes. For example, eggs, whether beautifully painted or made from chocolate, symbolise new life and are a traditional gift for friends and family.
If you are buying an Easter gift for someone who doesn’t like chocolate or appreciates non-food presents more then you should consider getting them a potted orchid. The long lasting blooms of orchids are sure to bring them a slice of happiness and they look elegant and beautiful in any home or office. Champagne is also a good gift for this particular occasion, especially when a bottle is shared with close friends.
Labour Day gift ideas
Labour Day is an international celebration of workers and it usually takes place on 1st May in most places. In Hong Kong, it is usually celebrated on 1st May, or the first Monday in May, and the celebrations last from the 1st to the 3rd of May. Sweet foods such as cakes and ice creams are a great option for Labour Day gifts, especially if they are to be shared among friends, families and valued colleagues. Food and drink hampers are pretty much perfect for this holiday, and many people will use their time off to have a picnic or go out for coffee and lunch with friends.
Birthday of Buddha
Hong Kong is a melting pot of cultures and faiths and many people are happy to celebrate special occasions even if they do not align with their personal religion. For example, many Buddhists will celebrate Easter and many Christians will also celebrate the birthday of Buddha which takes place in May.
During this holiday it is tradition to adopt a vegetarian diet and avoid animal products. This is seen as a mark of respect for the teachings of Buddha. Gifts for this occasion are largely symbolic, such as paper lanterns which represent the enlightenment found in Buddhist teachings, flowers and candles.
Tuen Ng Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival which takes place in June and is celebrated to commemorate the death of famous Chinese poet, Qu Yuan. Food is a big part of this celebration and many Hong Kongers will enjoy zongzi, or ‘joong’ if they are of Cantonese descent. If you’ve ever eaten one you’ll know how delicious they are. If you’ve never tried one before, they can be likened to tamales with a Chinese twist.
Seasonal fruit hampers are the perfect gift for friends, family and colleagues during the Tuen Ng Festival, especially if they are bursting with fine produce. Pack a hamper with oranges, pears, kiwi fruit, avocados, dragon fruit, citrus and melon and include a bottle of champagne or some special teas.
These are just a couple of the wonderful events to celebrate in the spring in Hong Kong. For other events you can look at choosing clothing, jewellery, collectibles and artistic pieces, but it all depends on the preferences of the person you are buying a gift for. The more closely you know them, the more you can fine tune your gift choice to give them something they will love.