Gift Guide · By Recipient

For a Coworker

Three characters for the colleague whose farewell, promotion, or holiday card needs more than a Starbucks gift card.

The picks

A gift for a coworker should travel light — meaningful but not over-personal, professional but not impersonal. These three Chinese characters have been the office-appropriate gift in Chinese workplaces for decades.

财 (Cái) — Career Success

The most practical and most-given Chinese workplace gift. 财 is the wish for prosperity in their work — opportunity, advancement, and the kind of success that makes Mondays easier.

See 财 →

瑞 (Ruì) — Auspicious

For the coworker leaving for a new role, or starting a new chapter. 瑞 is the classical Chinese way of wishing them luck on the path ahead, without sentimentality.

See 瑞 →

喜 (Xǐ) — Joy

For the coworker celebrating something — a wedding, a baby, a long-deserved promotion. 喜 is the simple wish for shared joy. Light, warm, never excessive.

See 喜 →

Each character is hand-brushed by Artist Lina Sun on rice paper.

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