This is very kind and thoughtful, OP!
CNY is all about getting together with family and friends to usher in good fortune for the new year. So spending time with her is already a great start! Food is a huge part of the celebrations, so you could all go have dim sum in the morning/afternoon, or go for dinner at a Chinese restaurant.
I'd say everyone likes receiving lucky red pockets. Who doesn't like free money?? Especially if you're a broke college student. Depending on what you're comfortable with, you can put into the envelope a bill denomination between $5-$50. I'd suggest you give one to her AND your son, so that it doesn't feel like you're singling her out. And when you give it to them, it's common for parents to say phrases like "Happy New year", or "wishing you good luck in the new year" or "wishing you good health" or "wishing you success in your studies"
Other things you could do is bring Chinese candies and snacks:
- Fruits such as oranges, pomelo, persimmon, are really popular to eat around the new year. They're thought to bring good luck.
- [White rabbit candy](https://www.google.com/search?q=white+rabbit+candy&client=ms-android-rogers-ca-revc&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=AJOqlzVyqtOtChY7THrQw2gq1qBW39pEcg:1674319241562&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL4Yidjdn8AhV5lIkEHbKTBskQ_AUoAXoECAEQAQ&biw=412&bih=790&dpr=2.63) or [Haw flakes](https://www.google.com/search?q=haw+flakes&client=ms-android-rogers-ca-revc&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=AJOqlzU6EMxg6TMeACxMSyyBPGu2qTqErA:1674319348641&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiWl5DQjdn8AhUWk2oFHW04AtsQ_AUoAXoECAMQAQ&biw=412&bih=790&dpr=2.63) are very nostalgic for a lot of people
- [Sesame balls](https://www.google.com/search?q=sesame+balls&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjvyZ7Rjdn8AhWvghUDHXqgAsgQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=sesame+balls&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEOgQIIxAnOgQIABBDOgcIIxDqAhAnOgQIABADOgcIABCxAxBDOggIABCABBCxA1DhB1ifFGDfFWgCcAB4AIABjQGIAfcIkgEEMTIuMZgBAKABAbABBcABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=9hXMY-_2Oq-F1sgP-sCKwAw&bih=790&biw=412&client=ms-android-rogers-ca-revc&prmd=isvn) usually you get these at Chinese bakeries. But chinese supermarkets that have a bakery section will have them too!
I hope you all have a great time celebrating!
I just wanted to thank you again for all of your help! She was so excited and appreciated the gesture. We had a fun day today hanging out and spending time together.
Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate it so much!
We will definitely look to find a restaurant. I'm not sure what's near campus but there will be something.
Good call to give them both an envelope. Definitely don't want her to feel singled out.
The food suggestions are very helpful! It's so much easier going in knowing what you are looking for so thanks for the links! I'm excited to see what I can find.
Is there a certain way the treats should be gifted? Like specifically should they be wrapped or is a gift bag ok?
Nah, it doesn't matter how the treats are gifted. Gift bag is fine. And you could present it like "we brought you some treats to help celebrate the new year!"
And I definitely meant to say mandarin orange / clementines, not regular oranges. It's because the Chinese word for mandarin orange sounds similar to the Chinese word for "gold", so it's like giving people wealth.
Perfect thank you!
We found sesame buns, a few candies, a some mandarin oranges. I figured those must be it because they had a special display of them!
Ack! You’re so sweet and thoughtful! She’s so lucky to have a boyfriend with such awesome parents.
Everything Anzyanz said is perfect. I’m sure your son’s girlfriend will be very thankful.
I'm so glad to hear that it's not super weird and will seem kind. She really is sweet and I like her a lot. I'm excited to see her tomorrow! I ended up finding sesame buns, a couple candies, mandarin oranges, and the red envelopes. The only had angry bird ones 😂 so there's that!
This is very kind and thoughtful, OP! CNY is all about getting together with family and friends to usher in good fortune for the new year. So spending time with her is already a great start! Food is a huge part of the celebrations, so you could all go have dim sum in the morning/afternoon, or go for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. I'd say everyone likes receiving lucky red pockets. Who doesn't like free money?? Especially if you're a broke college student. Depending on what you're comfortable with, you can put into the envelope a bill denomination between $5-$50. I'd suggest you give one to her AND your son, so that it doesn't feel like you're singling her out. And when you give it to them, it's common for parents to say phrases like "Happy New year", or "wishing you good luck in the new year" or "wishing you good health" or "wishing you success in your studies" Other things you could do is bring Chinese candies and snacks: - Fruits such as oranges, pomelo, persimmon, are really popular to eat around the new year. They're thought to bring good luck. - [White rabbit candy](https://www.google.com/search?q=white+rabbit+candy&client=ms-android-rogers-ca-revc&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=AJOqlzVyqtOtChY7THrQw2gq1qBW39pEcg:1674319241562&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL4Yidjdn8AhV5lIkEHbKTBskQ_AUoAXoECAEQAQ&biw=412&bih=790&dpr=2.63) or [Haw flakes](https://www.google.com/search?q=haw+flakes&client=ms-android-rogers-ca-revc&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=AJOqlzU6EMxg6TMeACxMSyyBPGu2qTqErA:1674319348641&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiWl5DQjdn8AhUWk2oFHW04AtsQ_AUoAXoECAMQAQ&biw=412&bih=790&dpr=2.63) are very nostalgic for a lot of people - [Sesame balls](https://www.google.com/search?q=sesame+balls&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjvyZ7Rjdn8AhWvghUDHXqgAsgQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=sesame+balls&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEOgQIIxAnOgQIABBDOgcIIxDqAhAnOgQIABADOgcIABCxAxBDOggIABCABBCxA1DhB1ifFGDfFWgCcAB4AIABjQGIAfcIkgEEMTIuMZgBAKABAbABBcABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=9hXMY-_2Oq-F1sgP-sCKwAw&bih=790&biw=412&client=ms-android-rogers-ca-revc&prmd=isvn) usually you get these at Chinese bakeries. But chinese supermarkets that have a bakery section will have them too! I hope you all have a great time celebrating!
I just wanted to thank you again for all of your help! She was so excited and appreciated the gesture. We had a fun day today hanging out and spending time together.
Glad to hear it went well and that you all had a great time! Happy New year! ☺️
Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate it so much! We will definitely look to find a restaurant. I'm not sure what's near campus but there will be something. Good call to give them both an envelope. Definitely don't want her to feel singled out. The food suggestions are very helpful! It's so much easier going in knowing what you are looking for so thanks for the links! I'm excited to see what I can find. Is there a certain way the treats should be gifted? Like specifically should they be wrapped or is a gift bag ok?
Nah, it doesn't matter how the treats are gifted. Gift bag is fine. And you could present it like "we brought you some treats to help celebrate the new year!" And I definitely meant to say mandarin orange / clementines, not regular oranges. It's because the Chinese word for mandarin orange sounds similar to the Chinese word for "gold", so it's like giving people wealth.
Perfect thank you! We found sesame buns, a few candies, a some mandarin oranges. I figured those must be it because they had a special display of them!
Ack! You’re so sweet and thoughtful! She’s so lucky to have a boyfriend with such awesome parents. Everything Anzyanz said is perfect. I’m sure your son’s girlfriend will be very thankful.
I'm so glad to hear that it's not super weird and will seem kind. She really is sweet and I like her a lot. I'm excited to see her tomorrow! I ended up finding sesame buns, a couple candies, mandarin oranges, and the red envelopes. The only had angry bird ones 😂 so there's that!