• In ancient Chinese, the character “度” means “to go through”, while “岁” has the meaning of “year”. Therefore, “度岁” means “to pass the New Year”.
  
• The tradition of distributing Lunar New Year gifts to senior citizens in Singapore was started by the Shaw Foundation in 1948. Initially, the Shaw Foundation distributed items annually at Great World Amusement Park and New World Amusement Park. Later, in consideration of some elderly who might have mobility difficulties, the items were changed to red packets of $30 to $100. In recent years, the annual Lunar New Year gift also includes other items. In the case of Teck Ghee district in Ang Mo Kio in 2024, the gift consisted of S$150 in cash, S$50 in supermarket vouchers, four bottles of chicken essence and a pair of mandarin oranges.
  
• Lunar New Year gifts for senior citizens are distributed to take care of underprivileged groups in Singapore. These Lunar New Year gifts are distributed even if the economy is in a recession.
  
• Certain conditions must be met to apply for the gift. For example, the requirements for the Nee Soon South District in 2024 were as follows:
  1. Must be a Singaporean citizen over 65 years of age;
  2. Monthly household income does not exceed S$1,900, or per capita income is below S$650;
  3. Each family can only have one applicant.
  
• Lunar New Year gifts are generally distributed during activities organised by various agencies, such as Lunar New Year gift distribution ceremonies or Lunar New Year celebration gatherings. In addition, during the Lunar New Year period, the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament may distribute Lunar New Year gifts to senior citizens in markets and hawker centres.

This morning, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong celebrated the Lunar New Year early with residents of Teck Ghee constituency in Ang Mo Kio. He also distributed Lunar New Year gifts, chicken essence and mandarin oranges to 470 elderly residents. (Lianhe Wanbao, 3/2/2019)