Perfect Wellness Gifts for Chinese Moms & Mother-in-Law
Gifting is an important part of Chinese tradition and is used to show respect, gratitude and affection. Gifts are given on birthdays, marriages and festival days to indicate that you wish the recipient health, happiness and prosperity. The practice of reciprocity—giving a gift back to the person who gifted you something in the first place—is used to strengthen bonds and show appreciation.
Keep in mind that, in Chinese culture, it's not only the monetary value of the gift that counts, but also its symbolic nature. Gifts such as edible bird's nests signify health, prosperity and luxury. You also have other options when you're buying a gift for a Chinese mom or mother-in-law; you can go with luxurious skincare products, tea sets, wellness-themed Chinese gifts etc. No matter what gift you choose to buy, make sure that it is traditional and meaningful.
Edible Bird's Nest
Edible bird's nests are the perfect blend of symbolism and health. They are actually made from the saliva of swiftlets and symbolize the care that parents take to make a lovely home for their young. Additionally, they are also healthy because they contain proteins, amino acids and collagen. They're often used to make bird's nest soup, desserts, or congee.
Your Chinese mom or mother-in-law will love this gift because it's not only great for the skin and for immunity, but also for overall wellbeing. Plus, when it comes in beautiful packaging, it can be used as a gift for the Lunar New Year, Mother's Day or pretty much any family gathering.
Tray of Togetherness
The tray of togetherness is a lovely tray in a circular or octagonal shape– another perfect gift for Chinese mother-in-laws. It's usually divided into six or eight compartments, and each is filled with a different delicacy. Each item is supposed to bring you a different blessing e.g., red melon seeds are good for fertility while peanuts signify longevity. Some of the other items you may find in a tray of togetherness are dried fruits, candied lotus root, candied coconut, candied ginger and sesame balls.
Overall, the tray of togetherness makes a great Chinese gift for mom or mother-in-law because it symbolizes family value, family time– and as a bonus, you get delicious treats! Give this as a gift on the Lunar New Year or at a family gathering to win over your mom or mother-in-law's heart.
Premium Tea Set
Now that tea has been scientifically proven to be great for your health, gifting your mom or mother-in-law a tea set is a great idea, not just for the sake of tradition but also for health. Additionally, tea is often drunk by family and friends together, as a group, so a tea set indicates that you wish the receiver a harmonious family and social life.
A tea set may consist of the actual teapot and teacups, as well as a strainer, tray and tea caddy. Additionally, it may also contain different types of tea leaves, each of which has a different significance. For example, green tea indicates vitality and health while oolong tea indicates beauty. You can also add some pineapple cakes or mooncakes to the gift, as these are eaten along with the tea.
Chinese Herbal Health Gifts
For a gift that combines good fortune and health, go with a pairing of red dates and goji berries. Red dates are called the "fruit that removes sorrow," and they're great for health, digestion and relaxation. Goji berries, on the other hand, boost immunity, eye health and liver function. A bird's nest drink which also has red dates and goji berries is a great idea for the health of Chinese moms and mothers-in-law, and actually, the whole family.
Another great pairing that might be great as a Chinese gift for mom or mother-in-law is a bird's nest soup with ginseng. The bird's nest will nourish the lungs and skin while the ginseng is great for energy and vitality. Together, these two are one of the "four great delicacies," along with shark's fin, sea cucumber and abalone.
Luxurious Skincare Products
Skincare products are becoming increasingly more popular; your Chinese mom or mother-in-law is sure to love them, especially if they contain natural ingredients like silk proteins or herbal extracts. Silk proteins help to moisturize the skin and promote its elasticity, thus leading into a more youthful appearance. It also has wound-healing properties and symbolizes luxury and elegance.
On the other hand, there are many skincare products with herbal extracts, such as honey, green tea, ginger root, ginseng and lotus seed. These can help with moisturizing, anti-aging, reducing redness and energizing.
Customized Gifts for Family Legacy
The Artifact Uprising Brass Easel and Calendar consists of an easel made with solid brass and 12 sheets which can be personalized with any photos that you want. By putting in 12 photos of family members and friends, you can make this a thoughtful, family-oriented gift that any Chinese mom or mother-in-law will love. Brass is also supposed to reflect light and keep away evil spirits in Chinese culture.
Another great Chinese gift for mother-in-law is jewelry. After all, what woman doesn't appreciate jewelry? And more so if it has a design that brings her longevity or luck! Choosing jewelry with one of the Chinese characters depicting longevity or luck will not only make for a great traditional gift, but it will also make her think of you every time she wears it.
Relaxation and Wellness
Every mom or mother-in-law needs some me-time when she can just relax and not think about anything. And giving her a gift that promotes relaxation indicates that you're thinking about her wellbeing. A foot calf massager is therefore a great idea because in Chinese traditional medicine, a foot massage hits a number of pressure points which help reduce stress, promote sound sleep, and aid digestion.
Air purifiers also make for a great gift because they stimulate the flow of chi around the room and the house; this is in alignment with the principles of feng shui. They also help you breathe in cleaner air which promotes the flow of chi in the body.
The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug is also a great Chinese gift for mother-in-law because it's vacuum-insulated and will keep her tea hot for hours. There's nothing as comforting as having a hot cup of tea when you're out and about on a cold day.
Fashionable Accessories
Fashion is a must-have for any Chinese mom or mother-in-law, but so is practicality. Fortunately, the Muji Lightweight Down Collarless Vest combines both; it's a sleeveless vest, and can be worn by itself or under another jacket.
Silk scarves are also great Chinese gifts for moms or mothers-in-law. They come in a variety of colors/prints and are practical because they keep out the cold. Keep in mind that silk stands for prestige and luxury in Chinese culture, and when paired with a traditional print of flowers, landscapes or calligraphy, they can have even more cultural significance.
Red Envelopes (Hong Bao)
If you can't think of anything that your Chinese mom or mother-in-law might want, then why not just give cash? And when you put that cash in a red envelope, you're symbolically offering her a gift of health, wealth and prosperity. Keep in mind that the cash should be of an even number because these are considered auspicious while odd numbers are associated with funerals.
Combining a red envelope with an edible bird's nest or a health-focused gift is also a great idea. This shows that you've put some thought into the gift and also indicates that you're offering a gift of health and wellness, in addition to prosperity.
Why Edible Bird’s Nest is the Ultimate Gift for Chinese Moms
No matter the occasion, there is a perfect gift that combines Chinese tradition with modern elegance– especially when it comes to edible bird’s nests. Shower your mom or your mother-in-law with love, respect and gratitude, especially when you get her an edible bird's nest.
Not only is this a luxurious gift with traditional significance, but it's also healthy and will show her that you care about her wellbeing. Family is the cornerstone of Chinese tradition; by giving her an edible bird's nest, you are giving her a gift that strengthens familial bonds and creates harmony in her social sphere.
