ART OF GIFT GIVING
OLD ROOTS REIMAGINED
Tradition is not the past; it’s something we carry forward
MORE THAN JUST GIFTS
This thesis examines the cultural significance of gift-giving in Chinese traditions, focusing on red envelopes, mooncakes, and tea sets. Drawing on both personal and cultural identity, it explores how these symbolic and historical objects can be reimagined through modern design.
This project aims to appeal to second-generation Canadians with Hong Kong roots, who often balance tradition and modern life. By studying cultural meaning behind gift-giving, Gen Z purchasing habits, and market trends, the project identifies ways to redesign traditional packaging to feel more relevant, accessible, and visually appealing to younger people.
Although the project focuses on the Chinese community, I hope to reach audiences beyond Chinese individuals and to help them appreciate and learn about our traditional gifts. By designing packaging that is modern but respectful of tradition, it encourages more people to discover and appreciate the richness of Chinese gift-giving.
The result is a unified packaging system that blends heritage with modern style. It keeps the meaning of these traditions while offering a new way for people to experience, share, and understand them today.
Scroll To Explore The Journey
RESEARCH QUESTION:
How can traditional Chinese gift-giving and gifts be modernized to better resonate with younger second-generation immigrants from Canada with a Hong Kong background to help maintain their cultural identity?
KEY RESEARCH MILESTONES From Lit Review
Reciprocity & the Meaning Behind Gifts
Gift-giving involves a cycle of giving, receiving, and returning
Timing, presentation, and intention all shape relationship dynamics
The act itself is as important as the object
What Sparked My Curiosity
This project comes from my own experience as a second-generation immigrant. As I grew up, I often felt disconnected from traditional practices because they were simplified at home and not always explained in detail. Since my grandparents live far away, I have not had many opportunities to learn about my culture directly from them.
As time went on, gift-giving traditions started to feel more like chores than special moments, especially since they did not always fit with modern life. This made me wonder how these traditions could be changed to feel more meaningful and interesting for younger people.
With this project, I want to close that gap by redesigning traditional cultural gifts to match modern design, technology, and accessibility. My goal is to help people like me reconnect with their cultural roots in a way that feels both meaningful and modern.
Gift-Giving as A Social Connection
Gift-giving is not transactional, it builds emotional bonds and social relationships
Acts of giving reinforce community, obligation, and care
Gifts act as symbols of identity and relationship strength
Cultural Blending Strengthens Connection
Culturally mixed gifts create a stronger emotional impact
They signal understanding, respect, and shared identity
However, authenticity is key; avoid cultural appropriation at all costs
Gift-giving is a way people connect with each other, not simply the buying, giving, or exchanging of things.
People find a sense of belonging through their experiences, not only through their heritage.
Design can help connect different cultures and generations.
Modernization should reinterpret tradition, not erase it
The Role of Autonomy in Cultural Identity
Second-generation individuals connect more deeply to culture when it is self-discovered, not imposed
Autonomy leads to stronger cultural identification and well-being
Understanding Identity & Belonging
1.5 and second-generation individuals often navigate dual cultural identities
Many feel a lack of full belonging to either culture
Strong connection to heritage is maintained through social environments and cultural practices
IT ALL STARTED WITH A QUESTION AND CURIOSITY ABOUT THE TOPIC OF GIFT-GIVING IN CHINESE CULTURE
Gift-Giving as Cultural Preservation
In many cultures, gift-giving is essential to maintaining identity and community survival
It reinforces shared values across generations
WHAT DOES THIS REALLY MEAN?
SO WHAT MOMENT?
Scroll for the design process
INITIAL SKETCHES
How can traditional Chinese gift-giving and gifts be modernized to better resonate with younger second-generation immigrants from Canada with a Hong Kong background to help maintain their cultural identity?
PACKAGING INSPIRATION BREAKDOWN
It’s not the gift, but the meaning behind it
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It’s not the gift, but the meaning behind it 〰️
Visual AUDIT
The visual audit is where I analyzed traditional Chinese gifts to identify recurring patterns, symbols, and motifs. This process helped me understand which traditional elements to preserve and which aspects to avoid, guiding the development of my packaging.
IN THE LAB
THE DESIGN JOURNEY
Meet the Team
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Monet Goode
FOUNDER
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience.
They set the tone for everything we do. -
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Emmett Marsh
SALES MANAGER
Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care. -
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Eleanor Parks
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience. -
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Karl Holland
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.
