On the 29th of last year's New Year, the 60-year-old Lao Zhou, a villager who worked in the city, received a year-end bonus of 4,800 yuan, and was ready to buy an LCD TV and refrigerator for his family, but the money was not hot, and on the day of the New Year's dinner on the 30th of the New Year, he was given a red envelope by two sons, three daughters and five families to leave, and he also posted 200 yuan upside down.
In traditional Chinese culture, red envelopes represent blessings and love, and they carry the expectations and blessings of the elders to the younger generations.
However, in recent years, red envelopes have gradually evolved into a kind of pressure, especially during the Spring Festival, and the amount of red envelopes seems to have become a measure of family affection.
Lao Cheng's story is a typical example. The year-end bonus he won after a year of hard work was originally planned to be used to travel with his wife and buy home appliances, but in just one meal, he was "hollowed out" by his children and grandchildren. Such a phenomenon is not uncommon, and many elderly people will face a similar dilemma during the Spring Festival.
In my opinion, the essence of red envelopes should be a transmission of emotions, not an exchange of money. We should learn from the practice of the Guangdong region, not to pursue the amount of the red envelope excessively, but to pay attention to its symbolic meaning.
A red envelope of 10 yuan is enough to express our blessings and love for our loved ones, and at the same time, it will not bring excessive financial burden to the elders.
In addition, we can also convey family affection and love through other ways, such as companionship, care, care, etc. These behaviors are more indicative of our love for our loved ones than simple monetary transactions.
In short, the Spring Festival is a festival of reunion and joy, and we should return the red envelope to its essence and become a transmission of emotions rather than a burden. Only in this way can we truly feel the warmth and happiness of the festival.
The year-end bonus of 7,200 yuan is not enough for the Spring Festival