Chinese New Year is one of the most important shopping seasons in Asia. Shoppers are primed for gifting, collecting, and celebrating — and the right gift-with-purchase (GWP) can make your brand the star of the festive season. But not all gifts are created equal. To stand out, your CNY promotional gift should blend functionality, cultural meaning, and emotional delight.
In this guide, we share Chinese New Year 2026 GWP ideas curated from our exclusive catalogue — and explain why they work for today’s consumers.
Why CNY GWPs Drive Sales & Loyalty
- 90% of consumers say a free gift with purchase boosts their brand loyalty. (source: Harris Interactive)
- 41% of shoppers are primed to switch brands for better value, with APAC consumers balancing price and quality equally (source: Wikipedia).
- Over 50% of shoppers actively look for deals on every purchase, showing how promo-sensitive today’s consumers are (source: Research Mountain).
GWPs aren’t just a giveaway — they are one of the most powerful levers to influence shopper decisions, boost impulse buys, and build long-term brand loyalty.
Here are four CNY campaign concepts to inspire your next promotion.
Concept 1: Functional & Everyday Essentials (Always a Shopper Favourite)
Why it works: Consumers perceive more value when the gift is practical and can be used daily. This creates longer brand exposure.
Festive Drinkware
Drinkware, such as tumblers and mugs, keeps drinks hot/cold while the festive CNY designs add seasonal joy, making them both practical and emotionally engaging.
CNY Practical Essentials
Portable Fans, Foldable Bags and Containers with CNY Designs: practical for everyday use at home or on-the-go, while festive prints add cultural relevance and seasonal joy.
👉 Consumer Psychology Tip: Functional gifts reduce post-purchase regret and enhance brand utility.
Concept 2: Festive & Decorative Gifts (Creating Seasonal Joy)
Why it works: Chinese New Year is steeped in symbolism. Shoppers love gifts that carry auspicious meaning and enhance the festive atmosphere at home.
Prosperity-Themed Gifts
Ceramic Mugs with Magnetic Icons, CNY Coasters – All designs are using prosperity symbols, highly giftable.
Mahjong-Inspired Gifts
👉 Why it matters: Items linked to fortune, prosperity, and tradition deepen cultural relevance — making the brand part of the festive story.
Concept 3: Collectibles & Emotional Gifts
Why it works: People love to collect. Blind-box style and novelty gifts fuel repeat purchases, curiosity, and social sharing.
👉 Why it matters: Scarcity + surprise boosts engagement, especially among Gen Z and Millennial shoppers.
How to Make Your CNY GWP Campaign Stand Out
To ensure your CNY promotional gift leaves an impact, focus on three key areas:
Make it festive and meaningful → Choose designs that reflect Chinese New Year traditions such as prosperity, family bonding, and good fortune. Shoppers are more likely to connect with gifts that feel seasonally relevant.
Balance function with delight → The most effective GWPs are both useful and exciting. For example, a thermal tumbler keeps drinks warm but can also be styled in festive red and gold to create emotional appeal.
Encourage sharing and collectibility → Select items that people will want to show off or collect, from quirky novelty pieces to limited-edition sets. These naturally encourage repeat purchases and social buzz.
Real Case Study: Festive Merchandise in Action
Heineken CNY Reunion Dish Plate Set
As featured in our case study, Heineken launched a specially designed reunion dish plate set as part of its Chinese New Year 2025 campaign. The gift blended festive symbolism with practical use, making it a centerpiece for family gatherings and celebrations.
This shows how brands can elevate festive campaigns with merchandise that is both culturally relevant and functional.
Read more here: Heineken CNY Reunion Dish Plate Set – Festive Promotional Merchandise
Bringing Festive Campaigns to Life
Chinese New Year is more than just a sales season — it’s a cultural moment where the right gift can make your brand memorable. From functional daily-use gifts to festive collectibles and premium tableware, GWPs can transform shoppers into brand fans.
💡 At DTC World, we help APAC brands design festive merchandise that sells out and stands out. Contact us to co-create your CNY 2026 campaign.
