壓歲書 (ya sui shu): Gift book

Traditionally, Chinese people give newly printed currency notes as gift money, or yasuiqian, to children during the Lunar New Year. And most of children don't seem interested in any gift other than cash because most of them are materially satisfied thanks to the rising incomes of their parents. Therefore, it is important for parents to teach their children how to wisely spend the money they get from relatives (which in many cases can be big sums for children) during Spring Festival.

Fortunately, people today can choose from some other things to gift children. In fact, a growing number of people have started gifting children gift book(s), or yasuishu, a healthy, economic and pragmatic choice, which most parents have appreciated.

The rising practice of gifting books has once again made gift giving a pleasure during Spring Festival. Books are a source of knowledge and can inculcate among children the habit of reading. Books can also make children realize that knowledge is more valuable than money. Plus, books can stay with us for life and keep reminding us of the true value of gifts.