Gift Guide · By Occasion

Birthday Gifts

Three characters for the year ahead — blessing, longevity, and joy.

The picks

Birthdays in Chinese tradition are not about the candles — they are about the wish behind them. These three characters are the wishes themselves, written down.

福 (Fú) — Blessing

The most universal birthday character. 福 covers everything you want for someone in their year ahead — health, comfort, family, peace — without singling any one out. The safe first choice for any birthday.

See 福 →

寿 (Shòu) — Longevity

The traditional birthday character for elders. 寿 is the wish for long life — but in Chinese culture, also for vitality and the kind of long life that stays good. Especially right for milestone birthdays.

See 寿 →

喜 (Xǐ) — Joy

For the friend whose birthday you want to actually feel like a celebration. 喜 is the wish for the year to bring small joys, often, and the kind of happiness that doesn’t need an occasion.

See 喜 →

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

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