With Chinese New Year just around the corner, this is the perfect time to consider speaking to us about any ideas for gifts you may have. Among the rich tapestry of traditions rooted in renewal, respect, and shared prosperity, gifting plays a central role, carrying layers of symbolism that extend far beyond the object itself.
More than a date on the calendar, the festival is a moment to honour the past year, welcome good fortune for the year, and strengthen the bonds you have with your family, friends, and business partners. At Grant Macdonald London, bespoke silver and gold commissions offer a natural extension of these traditions, helping you express meaningful gestures through craftsmanship, heritage and enduring value.
Traditions that Shape the Season
Chinese New Year customs centre of renewal and harmony - homes are cleaned in advance to sweep away misfortune, while decorations in red and gold are displayed to invite luck, happiness and success. The reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve is one of the most important moments of the year, celebrating unity, abundance, and continuity across generations.
Gifts are chosen not just for their beauty, but for what they represent. Paired items like candlesticks signify balance and harmony. Circular forms reference unity and completeness. Motifs such as plum blossom, bamboo, clouds and waves carry wishes of resilience, growth and longevity.
Traditional gifts often include red envelopes, shared food, and symbolic objects, but in more formal or long-standing relationships, especially in business or diplomatic settings, a lasting object is preferred. Precious metals have always held cultural significance, with gold representing wealth and success, and silver symbolising purity and protection.
A bespoke silver bowl might echo the tradition of abundance at the family table. A finely crafted tea service reflects hospitality, respect, and the importance of shared moments. Sculptural pieces inspired by the year’s zodiac animal offer a powerful way to mark the transition into a new cycle, particularly when they’re commissioned as heirloom objects rather than decorative novelties.
Bespoke Craftsmanship with Cultural Sensitivity
Each commission begins with understanding intent. Is the gift to honour a partnership, mark a milestone, or convey long-term goodwill? From there, design choices can be shaped around symbolism, proportion, and use, ensuring the final piece feels appropriate, personal, and timeless. Grant Macdonald London’s approach blends traditional British silversmithing with advanced design technologies, allowing complex forms and intricate detailing to be realised with exceptional precision. Every piece is handcrafted in London, hallmarked for authenticity, and created with longevity in mind, aligning naturally with the Chinese New Year focus on legacy and continuity.
In a season defined by renewal, a bespoke silver or gold commission offers something rare: a gift that won’t fade once the festivities end. Instead, it becomes part of a story, revisited year after year as traditions continue and relationships deepen.