‘Friendship is priceless’: couple’s ‘no money gift’ passes for wedding guests praised amid China’s frugality drive
- Chinese people traditionally give red envelopes with money enclosed at weddings, funerals, birthday parties and other important occasions
- China has launched a nationwide campaign to curb extravagant weddings and funerals that have been deemed wasteful and too complex
A couple in China have designed a “no money gift” pass for their wedding guests to spare them from the controversial Chinese tradition of giving cash as wedding presents amid the country’s frugality drive.
The man, surnamed Chen, and the woman, surnamed Shi, have been praised online for their innovative approach, which they said is aimed at simplifying their wedding as the usual lavish rituals are an increasing financial burden for many, the Qianjiang Evening News reported on Wednesday.
The couple, both aged 28, tied the knot last week in Zhejiang, eastern China. They sent out the passes along with the wedding invitations to friends and relatives of marrying age.
The receivers were told to put the pass in a red envelope to replace cash before handing it out at the wedding.
The creative method works both ways – the couple can reuse the returned “no money gift” pass when they attend the receiver’s wedding in the future.
“In order not to create a burden for each other, my wife proposed the idea of mutual exemption from cash gifts,” Chen said.
