Meaningful and auspicious gifts for celebrating a birthday.
(Baonghean.vn) - Longevity celebrations are usually held at the beginning of spring or on the birthday. The exact origin of this custom is unknown, but it has been passed down from generation to generation and continues to this day, becoming a beautiful aspect of Vietnamese culture. So, what gifts and activities are truly meaningful for a longevity celebration?
1. Respect the elderly, and let the elderly give you their age.
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| Respect the elderly, and let the elderly give you their age. (Illustrative image) |
For Vietnamese people, when a family member reaches a milestone age (usually 70 or older), at the beginning of spring, children and grandchildren prepare a feast to offer to their ancestors, celebrating the longevity of their grandparents and parents. Along with this, the local government and the Senior Citizens' Association also organize birthday celebrations for the elderly. This practice is truly meaningful if we know how to organize it properly, respectfully, and economically.
2. Meaningful and auspicious gifts for a birthday celebration.
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Nothing is more meaningful than making gifts for your grandparents and parents with your own hands. Sometimes it's just a scarf to use in the winter or writing a poem to celebrate their birthday. If you're skilled in cooking, a few dishes that your grandparents and parents enjoy would be the most meaningful gift.
Don't forget, for gifts like scarves, paintings, or gift boxes, choose colors that match your grandparents' or parents' zodiac signs to wish them the best of luck and fortune.
- A gift of health
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Choosing some nutritious foods like ginseng, animal extracts, or certain medicinal wines that benefit bone health in old age is a perfect suggestion. Buying these gifts shows that you care about your grandparents and parents more than anyone else. Giving health-boosting gifts will help them live longer lives with their children and grandchildren.
- The gift is a decorative item.
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In human life, everything revolves around five virtues: Happiness, Prosperity, Longevity, Health, and Peace. Among these, Longevity symbolizes the connection and unification of these five blessings. Therefore, the most meaningful and appropriate gift for celebrating longevity is a painting depicting the character for longevity. This is not only a decorative item but also a wish for grandparents and parents to always be healthy and live long lives with their children and grandchildren.
In addition, you can also choose meaningful birthday gifts such as tea sets, teapots, or beautiful potted plants that symbolize good fortune and health.
When choosing paintings, plants, or tableware, remember to consider these factors: Are the colors compatible with the birth year and element of your grandparents and parents? Are the plants suitable for their birth year, so that you can pray for the best things to come to your elders?
- Longevity painting
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| Painting with the character "Longevity" (壽). |
The character "壽" (Shou) not only symbolizes longevity, but it also signifies protection from unexpected accidents and good health. In ancient times, the character "壽" appeared frequently in architecture, such as palaces, royal residences, and even the homes of ordinary people. It was considered a symbol that enhanced the energy of a house and protected its inhabitants from misfortune.
- Clothes
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| Illustrative image. |
Choosing clothes as a gift for a birthday celebration is also a wonderful idea. When we think about the nurturing care of our grandparents and parents, we immediately picture people who endured hardship and toiled day and night to provide the best for their children and grandchildren.
- Blanket or mattress
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For elderly people, a good night's sleep is extremely important. On this occasion of their birthday, you can choose a new set of bedding for them, which will help you take better care of their sleep and keep them warm during the winter months.
A new, comfortable mattress is a great idea to help elderly people get the best, most restful sleep each day, and a new pillow is also a very thoughtful gesture for them.
- Book
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If your grandparents or parents are still mentally alert and able to read, then giving them books as a gift will bring them a lot of joy. During their free time, they will have books to keep them company, and they will no longer feel sad or lonely.
You can choose books about life philosophy, humorous stories, or literary works that the elderly enjoy… This will be a gift with great spiritual value, and reading also helps them improve their memory.
