Gen Z reinvents the red envelope tradition

Generation Z, known for both preserving traditions and embracing the future, is reshaping the way red envelopes are used while keeping their cultural significance alive. By adopting new and creative formats, they uphold the emotional and ethical values of this tradition, infusing it with modern meaning.

For Chinese Gen Zers, digital red envelopes on platforms like WeChat and Alipay are the norm. Unlike traditional red envelopes, which were primarily exchanged within families, these digital versions now extend to friends, colleagues, and even business contacts. What was once a formal ritual has evolved into a fun and dynamic social tool.

This change has led to creative variations like the "Red Envelope Lucky Draw", where recipients rely on pure luck to claim a portion of a total amount, and the "Red Envelope Relay", where the person who receives the largest sum must send the next red envelope. These trends reflect Gen Z's playful and free-spirited nature.