Pin 1 74 Shares

The best part about choosing gifts for the lover of Chinese culture in your life is the opportunity to give something that’s very personal. Culture plays a large role in personal identity, so gifts can be evocative of where a person has been, who they are today or what they hope to be in the future.

A gift can summon a memory from a mother’s childhood in Shanghai, stimulate a current love of cooking Chinese cuisine or instill a sense of pride in a child’s heritage. Great gifts can be inspirational, whimsical, silly or simply useful.

Whether you’re shopping for your parents, your grandparents, your spouse or your child and whether you’re shopping for a Christmas, birthday or housewarming gift, I hope that the gift ideas below inspire you to incorporate a Chinese influence in your gift giving plans.

For the Tea Lover

Glass Tea Pot with Bamboo Lid A thin, lightweight and durable glass tea pot that will delight even your most design-conscious of friends. This modern take on a classic shape features a bamboo lid with a coil attachment that filters out tea from inside the pitcher. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Authentic Hong Kong Style Milk Tea This milk tea blend will bring a smile to any Hong Konger in your life. Sourced from Hong Kong master blenders with decades of experience, this hand-crafted blend of tea leaves produces an authentic, silky smooth naih cha. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Complete Bubble Tea Kit Now you can create your own bubble tea shop in the comfort of your own kitchen, dorm room or office break area. This complete kit includes everything you need to get your boba fix — three tea flavors, tapioca pearls, cups, straws and a shaker. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Double Walled Glass Tea Infuser A simple, yet elegant way to brew a cup of tea for one person. This 10 ounce double walled glass tea infuser cup is made from hand-blown glass that keeps your tea warm while protecting your hand from the heat. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Design Maven

2020 Year of the Rat Tote Bag An ideal bag for running errands around town, this sturdy tote stylishly celebrates the 2020 Year of the Rat. It’s decorated on both sides with a festive red zodiac rat and the Chinese American Family letter logo on a natural background. At only $20, it’s also a great deal. » Buy from our Chinese American Family Shop

Gold Fortune Cookie Box Use this playful display piece from Bey Berk to store tiny treasures or present a special gift. This gold-toned fortune cookie is hinged and closes with a snap. Also available in silver. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Lucky Socks Need a little bit of extra luck for your next work presentation or social engagement? Wear a whimsical collection of Chinese good luck symbols on your feet with these fun crew socks. Available in red, gold and turquoise. » Buy from the Chinese American Family Shop

Kobo D’Anjou Lychee Soy Candle Transport yourself to China and elevate your senses with the fresh, heavenly aromas of lychee, jasmine and quince in this natural soy candle. Individually hand-poured using domestic soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks, Kobo makes the cleanest burning, most planet friendly candles on the market. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Chinese Patterns Creative Paper These fine-quality 19″ x 27″ sheets pop with 12 contemporary designs inspired by traditional Chinese motifs. Suitable for crafting or wrapping gifts, these beautiful designs are sure to make projects more personal and expressive. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Home Entertainer

Tea Fishermen This set of 4 tea holders evoking the old Chinese story of Jiang Taigong won the China Design Challenge. Each of the fishermen comes with a fishhook and will sit patiently on the side of your mug while securely holding your tea bag. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Dim Sum Tea Towels Super-soft and decorated with your favorite dim sum treats, these cozy towels might just be the perfect housewarming or hostess gift. Decorated with hand-drawn egg tarts, siu mai, pork buns or shrimp dumplings in your choice of black, blue or red on white cotton twill. » Buy from our Chinese American Family Shop

Natural Rosewood Chopsticks Add a touch of class to any dinner party with 10 pairs of these natural rosewood chopsticks. They’re expertly balanced to fit well in the hand and are burnished with a beautiful deep mahogany color. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Chinese Egg Tart Tins Combine a set of these baking tins with a note card filled out with our classic Chinese egg tart recipe to create a terrific DIY gift. There’s absolutely nothing better than a fresh egg tart served warm from your oven. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Urban Apartment Dweller

Red Lacquer Ballpoint Pen A perfect gift for the rising young executive, this elegant Parker Sonnet ballpoint pen combines the Chinese red and gold colors for luck and prosperity. Hand assembled and packaged in a premium gift box. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Chinese Food Magnets Liven up the refrigerator in any downtown apartment with these adorable magnets featuring a feast of classic Chinese foods like Lion’s Head Meatballs, noodle soup, red bean soup, black sesame dumplings and steamed rice. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Double Happiness Pulls Add a little joy to your living space with these brass cabinet door pulls in the shape of the Chinese characters for “double happiness.” The Chinese Brass Hardware collection also includes many other clasps, locks and hinges in both traditional and contemporary Chinese designs. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Baijiu: The Essential Guide to Chinese Spirits Baijiu is simultaneously the world’s most consumed liquor by volume and still relatively unknown outside of China. Travel the final frontier of great world alcohols with this comprehensive and practical guide from author Derek Sandhaus. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Home Chef

Outdoor Wok Stove Producing up to 65,000 BTUs (a typical home range gives about 10,000), this propane burner is the closest you’ll come to what chefs use at a Chinese restaurant. This package from Eastman comes with a 22-inch carbon steel wok that easily accommodates all of your stir frying needs. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Hong Kong Egg Waffle Maker Fill your home with the aroma of a classic Hong Kong street snack. Serve egg waffles for an excellent after school snack or even roll them into a cone for a decadent ice cream treat. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees Winner of the 2016 IACP Julia Child First Book Award, chef Kian Lam Kho offers a unique introduction to Chinese cooking, demystifying it by focusing on its basic cooking methods. Accompanied by more than 200 photographs, this cook book is perhaps the best manual for aspiring Chinese home chefs. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Bamboo Cleaning Whisk Effective and elegant, this classic bamboo whisk will leave you wondering how something so simple manages to clean so well. A brisk swirling motion under running water scrubs clean any pan without leaving scratches behind. It feels like magic. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Active Grandparent

Chinese Herbal Medicine Cooker This Chinese herbal medicine cooker takes the hassle out of a time-consuming process. Simply place the ingredients prepared by the herbalist into the cooker, add the specified amount of water, plug in the unit and the medicine will automatically be reduced to one bowl, as prescribed. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Microplush Heated Blanket Help a grandparent preheat cold sheets, before resting easy in silky softness and cozy warmth. This heated microplush blanket features a warming system that senses and adjusts to deliver consistent warmth and comfort all night. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Sandalwood Fans A sandalwood fan has been a favorite for ladies of all ages since the Qing Dynasty because it emits a fragrance that boosts a woman’s elegance and femininity. The aroma of a quality sandalwood fan can stay for as long as eight years. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

White Rabbit Candy This Shanghai “time-honored brand” holds a special place in the hearts of many of the city’s adult residents, as the candy of choice for most Chinese youngsters growing up in previous decades. These creamy, milky candies with edible rice paper wrappers carry the wish for sweetness in the year ahead. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Office Worker

Chinese Lunch Box Traditionally, Chinese workers used these metal food carriers to keep multiple dishes of rice, soup, vegetables, meat or fish separate and hot. The durable stainless steel design features a tight clasp that holds the various layers in place, along with a sturdy handle that makes the lunch box easy to carry. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Sitting Foo Dog Bookends Commonly referred to as “foo dogs,” these figures actually represent lions and are traditionally placed at building entrances to act as guardians. Place this mirrored pair, one male and one female, on an office bookshelf to create an immediate conversation starter for passersby. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Bamboo Tumbler Impress others around the conference table with this sleek bamboo tumbler, a definite upgrade over an office-standard paper coffee cup. An included 2-piece infuser makes this tumbler ideal for brewing tea, but it’s also suitable for holding any hot beverage. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Shine Brightly! Journal Take important meeting notes in style with this beautiful hardcover journal that features a luxurious soft-touch finish and 75 pages of lined paper inside. Red and gold Chinese lanterns for good luck carry encouragement to shine brightly at the office! » Buy from our Chinese American Family Shop

For the Artist

Chinese Calligraphy Set A high quality calligraphy set that includes 4 brushes, an ink stone, a wooden stamp, an ink slab, an ink stick, a brush rest and a water well, all presented in a nice gift box. This is a perfect set for beginners just starting to learn about the Chinese art of calligraphy. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Chinese Scissors These scissors are another classic Chinese design that has withstood the test of time. With their super-sharp blades and fine points, the scissors in this set can cut meat, rope, plants and so much else — they’ll be right at home in any artist’s toolbox for endless hobby and craft projects. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Chinese Watercolor Paints Chinese watercolor paints are highly pigmented and concentrated, allowing for a wide variation of tone in washes. This deluxe 12-color set from Marie’s is just what an artist needs for Chinese style painting and calligraphy on rice paper or silk. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

2020 Taishan Calendar Photographer Richard ‘S’ Lee documents contemporary life in Taishan, China, the ancestral homeland for millions of Cantonese-speaking overseas Chinese. In this 2020 calendar, the selected photos bear witness to an emerging modernity unimaginable until recent times. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Curious Child

Bilingual Domino Set This 100 piece domino play set provides a wonderful way for children to learn a basic Chinese vocabulary. Each domino contains a picture of a familiar object like a fruit, animal or household item with its English name, Chinese character and phonetic pronunciation. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Asian Family Play Figures Children develop language and social skills through imaginative play. Help kids bring their stories to life in their image with this play family of wooden dolls from Hape, which includes a father, mother, grandma, grandpa, a boy and a girl. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Lucky Stickers Kids love stickers! Help bring a young child’s ideas to life with a full collection of Chinese good luck symbols including red envelopes, lanterns, auspicious foods, firecrackers and gold ingots. Available in packs of 100, 200 and 500 stickers. » Buy from the Chinese American Family Shop

Model Airplanes Relive your child’s recent trip to Asia with a model airplane of the carrier your family flew. Air China, Cathay Pacific, EVA and American airlines serving the region are all available. Send those young imaginations flying. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Tea Collection’s Asia Archive The good folks at Tea Collection travel the world, then bring the beauty of international cultures and modern design to children’s clothing. Over the years, they’ve build an archive of kids’ clothing inspired by the animals, blossoms and motifs found across Asia. You’ll love them. » Read Reviews and Buy at TeaCollection.com

For the Playful Baby

Luck & Prosperity Fleece Baby Blanket Wrap the baby in warm wishes for luck and prosperity with this ultra-soft fleece blanket featuring traditional Chinese gold ingots on a vibrant red background. The perfect gift for new parents. » Buy from our Chinese American Family Shop

Celebrating Chinese Festivals This is the best children’s book I’ve found about Chinese festivals. Bright illustrations, playful characters, recipes and folklore tidbits bring Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and more to life. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Uncle Goose Chinese Building Blocks Build a child’s animal vocabulary one block at a time with these 32, 1.75″ basswood cubes from Uncle Goose. Each block reveals a Chinese character for animal, its English translation, a phonetic pronunciation and a stroke grid. The perfect addition to any nursery. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Abundant Joy Nursery Collection Lucky swimming fish decorate this collection of baby blankets, crib sheets, lovies and changing pad covers. These playful golden carp on a baby blue background fill any nursery with good fortune, abundance and strength. » Buy from the Chinese American Family Shop

Little Egg Tart Onesie Boston-based designer Lillian Lee, creator of the Empty Bamboo Girl comic, authors love letters to her American born Chinese life. Is your little one a silly egg tart? This delightful onesie features a Chinese bakery and dim sum staple that comes with a sweet smile…and filling! » Buy from our Chinese American Family Shop

For the College Freshman

LEGO Shanghai Building Kit This 529-piece LEGO building set makes an ideal dorm room conversation-starter. Measuring over 9″ tall, this skyline model includes the Chenghuang Miao Temple, Longhua Temple and Pagoda, Radisson Blu Hotel, Bund area, Oriental Pearl, World Financial Center and the Shanghai Tower. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Beijing Opera Mask Bottle Opener A bottle opener adorned with a classic symbol of the Chinese opera. Note that in the Beijing opera, the color of the mask implies the personality of the character — in this case, red means loyalty. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

China Adult Coloring Book The perfect study break, this adult coloring book features classic Chinese maps, images and motifs. Perfect for relaxation or stress relief when the pressure of midterms approaches. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Dorm-Sized Kettle Let’s add this miniature hot water kettle from Bonavita to the college back-to-school list. Clocking in at just 0.5L, it’s the perfect size for quickly warming just enough water for a late-night mug of tea or a bowl of noodles. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Bookworm

The Chinese in America The best narrative history of the Chinese American experience from the California Gold Rush through present day. The book covers contributions to American life, efforts to overcome discrimination and everyday immigrant stories about working to succeed in a new country. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy The 2018 Warner Brothers release of Crazy Rich Asians brought author Kevin Kwan big screen fame and fortune. Gift all three novels in the Crazy Rich Asians series (China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems are the other two) and you’ll make one fan in your life very happy. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

How to American Jimmy O. Yang is a standup comedian, film and TV actor and fan favorite in the HBO series Silicon Valley and the film Crazy Rich Asians. In How to American, he shares his story of growing up as a Chinese immigrant who pursued a Hollywood career against the wishes of his parents. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Number One Chinese Restaurant Author Lillian Li shares a debut novel about the complicated lives and loves of people working in a neighborhood’s favorite Chinese restaurant. Along the way, she examines all the ways that our families destroy us, while also keeping us grounded and alive. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Nostalgic Traveler

Beijing Map Coasters Handmade from natural Sapele wood, these beautiful coasters contain a finely detailed map of Beijing. A wonderful and bold addition to any coffee table, you can also choose from Shanghai, Xi’an and Hong Kong city maps. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

4D Shanghai Cityscape Puzzle Rebuild Shanghai’s famous skyline in 3D using scale-model buildings, while adding a fourth dimension…time. This puzzle uses 72 scale-model buildings spanning more than 100 years of architectural development from the historic buildings along The Bund to the futuristic Shanghai Tower. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

San Francisco Travel Poster A 1950s-era United Airlines travel poster by artist Joseph Feher that depicts a cable car rolling through San Francisco Chinatown with the Bay Bridge in the distance. Measures 13 x 19 inches and printed on premium silk finish coated paper. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Hong Kong Food & Culture This book reads like a love letter to Hong Kong, faithfully covering every aspect of the city’s food culture. Experience Hong Kong’s fascinating culinary life through the eyes of local artisans, restaurateurs and street side hawkers, while learning classic Hong Kong-style recipes along the way. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Screen Addict

My Life in China Upon their visit to rural China for the first time in 18 years, director Kenneth Eng and his father retrace the perilous steps his father chanced in search of a better life. A movie sure to resonate with Chinese Americans born in the United States with parents who emigrated from China. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

The Chinese Exclusion Act Originally aired nationally on PBS, this seminal documentary from Ric Burns and Li-Shin Yu examines the 1882 law prohibiting the immigration of Chinese laborers. After digesting the law’s origin, history and impact, get out and bring attention to what remains an underreported and misunderstood period in American history. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Maya Lin – A Strong Clear Vision Though the Vietnam Veterans Memorial became one of the most beloved memorials in the world, Maya Lin’s design was initially greeted with skepticism and outrage. Freida Lee Mock’s documentary explores the creation of the monument and Lin herself, an unknown architect prior to the monument’s creation. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

The Joy Luck Club For adults who came of age during the 1980s, The Joy Luck Club is probably the most widely-recognized movie about Chinese American life and family relationships. The film reveals how lives are shaped as four mothers and daughters strive to understand their family bonds and one another. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Backyard Gardener

Rattan Garden Basket This Nantucket-style basket incorporates Indonesian palms and the classic Chinese technique for weaving rattan housewares. Use this basket out in the garden to carry shovels, trowels and other essential tools. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

The Great Gardens of China Did you know that the garden, as a place for refined pleasure and relaxation, has its roots in ancient China? Use The Great Gardens of China to find inspiration for your own space in the intricacy, elaborate buildings and subtle design found in Chinese landscapes. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Beijing Filigree Garden Stool Based on classic Chinese fretwork, this glazed ceramic garden stool fits beautifully in both contemporary or traditional Chinese settings. Crafted with glazed ceramic and finished in antique white, this stool looks great indoors and outdoors. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

The Chinese Kitchen Garden Wendy Kiang-Spray shares growing information for 38 Chinese vegetables —think lotus root, garlic, chives, and eggplant — paired with 25 traditional recipes like congee, dumplings and bok choy stir fry. Organized by season, you’ll learn what to grow in your backyard vegetable garden all year long. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

For the Holiday Decorator

Chinese Lantern Ornaments Add the joy of the Chinese Lantern Festival to your Christmas celebration. With exacting attention to detail and bright coloring, these ornaments will be welcome additions to any Christmas tree. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Gold Fortune Cookie Ornament A glittering, handcrafted celebration of the fortune cookie, the quintessentially Chinese American invention. This cute glass ornament is a delightfully silly way to add good fortune to any Christmas tree. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Chinese Takeout Box Ornament A 3 inch glass ornament in the shape of the iconic New York Chinese takeout delivery box, complete with the “Enjoy” and “Thank You” messages known to so many. Sure to add a bit of whimsy to the Christmas tree. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Lion Mask Ornament Add a Chinese lion dancer to your Christmas tree with this 3.25″ glass ornament from Kurt Adler. Finely detailed and richly colored, this ornament provides a cultural bridge from Christmas to the approaching Chinese New Year. » Read Reviews and Buy at Amazon.com

Your turn! Do you have any favorite holiday gifts related to Chinese culture? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

Pin 1 74 Shares