February 1, 2022 is the start of the Lunar New Year in many cultures. It’s the Year of the Tiger, which on its face doesn’t sound all that conductive to generating lots of elegant luxury gift options. Although it definitely has more potential than the Rat and the Pig. Our fearless correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has done the research And she’s sharing a curated list of the best luxury limited edition gifts – corporate and personal – for the 2022 Chinese Lunar New Year 2022, the Year of the Tiger. From beauty and fashion to fine watches and gourmet food, there’s a perfect luxury gift here for everyone on your list.
its time for luxury lunar new year 2022 gift shopping!
It’s the third animal in the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. Tigers, born in the years 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and 2022 are known for their power, boldness, and leadership.
Accordingly, 2022 will be a year where drama and excitement will reign and “crazy dreams can become reality,” according to Susan Levitt, author of Taoist Astrology: A Handbook of the Authentic Chinese Tradition.
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Every year, we delight in looking at how luxury brands interpret the year’s zodiac for their Lunar New Year capsule collections. The tiger, unlike the unsavory rat, gets a head start — it’s already an emblem at brands like Gucci and Kenzo. If you’re looking for a way to commemorate the year or give a meaningful and auspicious gift, you can practically phone it in with all the stylish tiger motifs out there. From gorgeously packaged beauty sets to investment worthy timepieces to gourmet foods, these are our top picks for the best luxury gifts for Lunar New Year.
The Best Luxury Gifts for Lunar New Year 2022 – The Year of the Tiger
1. handbags and small leather goods
We know the tiger is often depicted as fierce and powerful, but we selected these handbags and accessories for their refreshing soft power and well…cuteness. They are, after all, just big kitty cats. And we can’t think of a better gift than a red envelope inside of a handbag!
For Lunar New Year, Gucci replaced its iconic roaring tiger for a more gentle and reclining version surrounded by pastel greenery and florals. Inspired from a late 1960s archival design by Vittorio Accornero, we want…no NEED…all of it: wallets, loafers, dresses, vests, hoodies, and bucket hats. This tote ($1,890) featuring Accornero’s design on classic beige and ebony GG Supreme canvas is the perfect everyday bag.
Count Tory Burch’s novelty bag ($598) in the shape of a tiger cub as one of those things that spark joy. Her name is Tanya the Tiger and she’s spacious enough for the essentials while adding a whimsical accent to elevate any outfit.
If you or someone you know keeps losing your AirPods, check out Anya Hindmarch’s leather tiger case ($197). It protects those precious ear buds and doubles as an adorable bag charm.
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2. apparel
A long-standing tradition is entering the New Year with a new haircut and new clothing. A stripey tiger print is an easy go-to for commemorating the Year of the Tiger but if you want to go for street cred or indulge in luxury, consider these picks.
Carol Kim and Humberto Leon, the Asian American founders behind Opening Ceremony kicked off their Lunar New Year capsule with AAPI talent in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Think photographer Sandy Kim, skater Jerry Hsu, restaurateur Eddie Huang, and actress Greta Lee. This vermillion red hoodie ($320) with a cheeky mini 3D logo sweatshirt on the chest is one of our favorite gifts that is both cool and practical.
Balenciaga celebrates Lunar New Year with an 80s style Year of the Tiger print ($595) that features the label’s Parisian address. Pair with high-waisted trousers for a louche, off-duty look or lean into the youthful look with a leather mini skirt.
We love the classic Chinatown grandma vibes of Versace’s La Greca print cardigan ($1,150) that combines gold-tone Medusa buttons with an embroidered tiger motif. Dress up or down, but we love it best power-clashing Chinatown Pretty style.
3. timepieces
For a truly opulent gift, each year luxury watchmakers release their limited edition timepieces featuring the zodiac animal. A tiger is a fitting choice for daring and stylish execs.
Piaget (price upon request) joins the Lunar New Year festivities this year with an Altiplano timepiece featuring a fearless tiger in cloisonné grand feu enamel. The 4,000-year-old art of cloisonné involves transferring the design onto the surface using thin gold wires to create tiny partitions known as cloisons, into which different enamel pigments are placed. The timepiece is housed in a 38 mm 18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Chopard’s ($25,900) interpretation of the thematic timepiece is produced in auspicious numbers – only 88 pieces, all fashioned from 18K ethical rose gold. It uses a Urushi lacquering technique from Japan which took lacquerrer Minori Koizumi, of the century-old Yamada Heiando company, 160 hours to complete. The watch is presented on a hand-stitched blue alligator leather strap.
Movado’s ($695) sleek and understated Museum Classic features a stainless steel case with special Year of the Tiger engraved dial motif. A black calfskin leather strap completes the monochrome look while yellow gold accents gleam like the glint of a tiger’s eye.
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4. home goods
For a warm and personal gift, these gorgeous tiger adorned items will certainly bring in the good Feng Shui.
Elizabeth Scarlett’s beautifully embroidered velvet pillow ($69) adds so much character and a touch of opulence to any living space. But it doesn’t just feature the wild cat of the year, 2% of their revenue will be donated to wildlife charities that support the preservation of keystone species.
For the Lunar New Year banquet table, consider these Year of the Tiger set of chopsticks ($195) from Shanghai Tang to wow your host or guests. Painted in a matte finish in auspicious colors, the tops are finished with a brass tiger statuette. They also come with a brass chopstick rest so no one commits the faux pas of sticking chopsticks in a bowl of rice!
Yvonne Ellen’s vintage inspired china are reminiscent of childhood play sets. This teacup and saucer set ($44) features a majestic white tiger, finished with gold leaf. Perfect for a cup of premium Pu’erh tea to usher in the new year.
5. beauty sets
It’s important to get dolled up for Lunar New Year. Besides new clothing, don’t forget new make-up and skincare to look like that best version of you.
Red and gold are the traditional Lunar New Year colors and Clinique’s limited edition Cheek Pop™ Highlighter ($26.50) gives that luminous golden glow that looks effortless with one swipe or built up for a more glamorous look.
A red lip is a timeless look and a fun and fearless way to start the new year. This gorgeous fabric case contains 3 Rouge Dior lipsticks and 2 Rouge Dior colored lip balms ($195) in velvet, matte and satin finishes. Pucker up!
Shiseido collaborated with fashion designer Angel Chen, to produce this limited edition design that fuses traditional tiger imagery with contemporary elements to celebrate strength, courage, and beauty for Lunar New Year. The NEW Ultimune face serum ($140) contains fermented Roselle Extract, Heartleaf Extract, Areishi Mushroom, and Iris Root Extract to detoxify the skin and improve radiance in 3 days.
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6. gourmet food and spirits
Special food and communal meals are a cornerstone of any holiday and Lunar New Year is no exception. If you can’t celebrate with family and friends from afar, consider sending a care package of treats.
La Maison Du Chocolat celebrates the Year of the Tiger with an assortment of milk and dark chocolates in a limited-edition gift box ($88). Expect an assortment of crunchy nuts enrobed in fine layers of chocolate to share…or not.
Illustrated by Chinese artist, Shan Jiang, this award-winning Johnny Walker Blue Label ($299.99) would make a prized gift for whisky drinkers. With tastes of caramel and hazelnuts, it has a luxuriously warm and smoky finish.
We are so impressed with Lady M’s well thought out gift set ($168). Outfitted in gold metal hardware, this collectible chest opens to reveal custom designed Lady M red envelopes and exclusive new candies and confections from Lady M Bon Bon. The centerpiece — a traditional Mille Crêpes cake, is given a delicious Asian twist with silky, whipped red bean pastry cream.
7. Sneakers
Before you go around gifting sneakers, be warned that for the more traditional-minded, it is seen as an inauspicious choice. In Chinese, it implies that someone might run away from you! But if you or they are a sneakerhead, these luxury streetwear kicks might be the coolest Lunar New Year purchase of all.
The chunky dad sneaker silhouette shows no sign of passing out of fashion so embrace it with Gucci’s Year of the Tiger Rhyton trainers ($930). We love the neutral color way and the extra lift.
Say hello to Prada’s Lunar New Year collection. It’s full of vivid and harmonic graphic designs inspired by winter sports. These printed nylon sneakers ($1,385) not only look good, they do good too. Prada’s “The Action in the Year of the Tiger” campaign will help raise awareness and inspire action behind the plight of the mighty and endangered Amur Tiger.
Dior collaborated with artist Kenny Scharf to pay homage to the Year of the Tiger in low-top sneaker form ($1,400). Crafted in gray smooth calfskin with Dior Oblique Galaxy leather cutouts and an impish tiger sketch, it’s elegant but doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The Best Luxury Gifts for Lunar New Year 2022 – The Year of the Tiger
There you have it — over 20 luxury gifts to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate. Wishing you lots of good fortune this year!
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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.