As the Chinese New Year approaches, every household begins to make various preparations for the New Year.
Among them, the purchase of New Year's goods, personal contacts and other expenses are indispensable, and the expenditure of red envelopes occupies a large proportion, and sometimes even becomes a heavy burden for many people, especially young people with low incomes and the elderly without a fixed economy.
That's how I remember my old father. During the Spring Festival last year, I gave 500 yuan to each of my nephews according to custom, but the old father took out a crumpled 600 yuan and gave 300 yuan to each of the two children.
His slightly drunken face flushed, and he said a little shyly: "Grandpa also wants to give you a big red envelope, but grandpa doesn't have so much money now, so he can't borrow money to give out red envelopes, right?" You take this money, it is a piece of grandpa's heart. At that moment, I had mixed feelings in my heart, not only saddened that the red envelope had brought so much pressure to my father, but also felt that my father's tenacity was strong in his life and never asked for help.
New Year's money", a traditional custom that carries the meaning of driving away evil spirits and avoiding evil, and blessing peace, has gradually evolved into a burden that many adults can hardly bear in modern society.
The red envelopes, which originally symbolized blessings and expectations, are now getting bigger and bigger, which makes many people fall into an embarrassing situation when celebrating the Spring Festival. Especially for those young people who work outside the home, the salary of several thousand yuan per month may cost half a year's savings for a trip home.
In order to get by on the face, some people are forced to be generous, luxury car loans, huge red envelopes, and casual promises of big and small affairs, but behind these superficial scenery, there is a tight diet and hard work in the following days.
More worryingly, the high amount of New Year's money may also have a negative impact on children's development. The psychology of comparison is quietly breeding, and the "red envelope competition" between elders makes it impossible for children to truly understand the love and expectations behind the New Year's money.
There is such an example, the grandparents gave the child a red envelope of more than 10,000 yuan out of kindness, and as a result, the child was misunderstood and estranged after receiving less red envelopes from the grandmother. The originally warm family atmosphere is delicately changed by money issues, and children may also form wrong values, believing that money is everything, ignoring the importance of family affection and gratitude.
Looking back, the red envelopes we received when we were children may only be a few dimes or a few yuan, but this small wealth is enough to make us excited, buy firecrackers, snacks, and share with friends, which is the truest happiness of our childhood.
Therefore, we need to tell our children that it does not matter how much money you have, but the love it carries from your parents and elders is the most precious. Let the children know how to cherish this emotion, and understand that mutual care between family members is far more important than material giving.
In the face of all kinds of troubles caused by New Year's money, we call on everyone to return to their original intentions and not let red envelopes become a "heart disease" when they go home for the New Year. Instead of chasing the amount of money, it is better to pay attention to the emotional value it conveys.
We can follow the example of Guangzhou and other places, the amount of red envelopes does not have to be too large, and the focus is on the auspicious and good intentions. Let every family member easily enjoy the joy of the Spring Festival instead of carrying heavy financial pressure. In this way, we can regain the long-lost flavor of the New Year, so that every New Year is full of harmony and happiness.
Are you also thinking about red envelopes during the Spring Festival this year? How much do you think is appropriate? You may wish to leave a message to share your views, and together we can return the New Year's money to its origins and make our Spring Festival more humane and meaningful.