The atmosphere of the Spring Festival has gradually faded, and many people are already at work, but the topic of New Year's money has still become a hot topic after dinner. In Shaoyang, Hunan, Zhao Lei felt "a lot of pressure" about the New Year's money. Her year-end bonus of 7,200 yuan a year is not enough to give 16 children New Year's money, which has triggered a deep reflection on the traditional New Year's money customs.
New Year's money, this traditional custom, originally implied the expectations and wishes of the elders to the younger generations. However, in recent years, the amount of New Year's money has been climbing, from a few hundred yuan to thousands of dollars, or even more. For young and old, this has become a financial burden. Young people are just entering society with limited incomes, while older people may feel stressed because they don't have a high pension or other stable economy**.
Behind this phenomenon of "involution" is the excessive pursuit of material and comparison in society. People seem to have forgotten the original purpose of New Year's money, and instead saw it as a symbol of face and status. This kind of distorted values not only makes the New Year's money lose its original meaning, but also brings a heavy financial burden to people.
In this regard, experts call for us to return to the essence of New Year's money. New Year's money is not only a material giving, but also a spiritual transmission. It represents the love and blessing of the elders for the younger generations, rather than a tool for showing off and comparing. We should establish a correct concept of New Year's money, so that this traditional custom can return to its original meaning and become a way to connect feelings and pass on blessings.
In addition, society and families should also work together to create a healthy and harmonious holiday atmosphere. Through communication and negotiation, families can determine a reasonable amount of New Year's money to avoid excessive pressure on their children. The society can publicize correct values through various channels, guide people to look at New Year's money rationally, and let this traditional New Year's custom truly play its due role.
As a traditional New Year's custom, New Year's money should be a warm and happy way to express it. We should not let comparison and material pursuits erode its essence, but through correct guidance and efforts, let the New Year's money return to its original intention of connecting feelings and delivering blessings. Only in this way can we make this traditional custom shine more brilliantly in the new era.