Many micro-bloggers have complained that the red envelopes containing lucky money that they give to children are "bigger" this year than the red envelopes they gave last year. Some post-70s parents say they cannot continue to meet the expectations for more and more money as their year-end bonuses just "disappear" in a flash. Speaking of lucky money, do you have any unforgettable memories or funny stories? How much money have you given out this year? China Daily mobile news readers share their views with us.

Compared with the thousands of yuan given to children as lucky money, my wage is too low to satisfy everyone that I have to give to. The lucky money is "unlucky" for wage earners, because it has made the Spring Festival a burden rather than a celebration to us.

Lin Shuo, Beijing

The lucky money contains the deepest love from my parents, that's why I cherish and make good use of it. With the yearly bonus I have paid for such things as toys, stationery and trips. The money has given me not only joy but also a sense of financing. Facing graduation in July, I hope I can give my parents lucky money next year, so that they can also have the joy and good luck.

Taotao, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region

When I was a child in the 1970s, I would accept the lucky money from my parents with deep gratitude and excitement. There was very little money then but it was enough to make me happy for many days. Today the children receive much more money, but they do not seem so excited by it.

Jenny, Hangzhou, Zhengjiang province

A traditional habit of the Spring Festival, giving lucky money to children has helped greatly in promoting the atmosphere of the holiday. When I was young my cousins often wished my grandmother Happy New Year to get the lucky money, it's a happy memory.

A reader from Tianjin

Having graduated this year, I will become a wage earner and say goodbye to lucky money. It is now my turn to show my love to those who have always supported me. I will give money to the older members of my family and books to the younger ones, both with good luck and best wishes.

Chen Duwen, Changsha, Hunan province

My lucky money was always grabbed by my parents for all sorts of reasons. So one year I decided to keep a 10-yuan($1.58) note, which was then a huge sum of money, by concealing it inside my pillow. I slept wonderfully for weeks on my own fortune, until my mom found it when she took the pillowcase off for washing.

HY, Wuxi, Jiangsu province

I am not married, but I have to pay lucky money to my nephews and nieces, who are already attending primary school. My sister wanted me to send her kids gifts instead of money, "so that they have a more clear view of new year greetings".

Duanduan, Tianjin

My father once gave me 100 notes, worth 10 yuan in all, as lucky money for the year. I still have it today, as I have kept it as a memento, because my father passed away 20 years ago. It always reminds me: Cherish everybody that you care for.

Sandy, Shenzhen, Guangdong province

Every year I am always under pressure coming home because I'm not married, which means all the family members will try to persuade me to find a suitable partner. But on one point I am lucky: they give me lucky money because I am still considered a child. I'm glad for that "discrimination".

Fulu, Changzhou, Jiangsu province

My grandparents always gave me a huge sum of lucky money every year, but I could only spend a few days with them every year. Now with grandma gone my grandpa is a lonely old man. I hope he will keep healthy, so that one day I can give him lucky money out of my wage.

Zhang Zhixuan, Nanjing, Jiangsu province

I am 24 years old now, but the lucky money in my childhood seems something of yesterday. When I slept at the end of the year, mom always put some money in our wallets for a lucky new year, which I would spend on toys after waking up. The money was not only brand-new, it was also warm.

Rain, Mianyang, Sichuan

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send your e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily 01/30/2012 page9)