The Singapore red packets that stole the show this Year of the Horse

Singaporeans, the Year of the Horse is already shaping up to be one for the books. This Chinese New Year, brands across the country saddled up with campaigns that went well beyond the usual sweet treats and seasonal slogans.

The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) spotlighted community through a cheeky short film. Yeo’s leaned hard into the horse motif with a refreshed look and a gamified social play. Sentosa dialled up the spectacle with a multi-sensory celebration, complete with a Disney collaboration. And these were just a few of the many that went all out this CNY.

But if there’s one thing Singaporeans love more than a fun campaign, it’s money. And there’s no better way to give or receive it than through a beautifully crafted red packet. Here are our favourite red packet designs from this festive period.

Don't miss: Unpacking the ang bao designs that made us go 'wow' this CNY

1. Ascott

Kicking things off is Ascott, which clearly decided that one ang bao just wouldn’t cut it this year.

The hospitality group rolled out a limited-edition set of four ang baos, each inspired by a different season, spring, summer, autumn and winter. Every design comes in its own colourway and carries a seasonal blessing, touching on themes such as resilience, good health, abundance and harmony.

The clever bit? Line all four up and they form one continuous artwork, with flowing gold-foil motifs linking each packet together. It’s a neat visual nod to balance and the cyclical nature of time, very on-theme for the new year. The set was created as a festive perk for select guests, including Ascott Star Rewards members, adding a little extra flair to the usual Lunar New Year exchange.

2. Cathay 

Cathay Pacific is dressing up its Lunar New Year laisee in serious style. This year’s packets pay tribute to the airline’s iconic cabin crew uniforms, arranged chronologically from 1946 to today. Think of it as a fashion timeline in red, each design a nod to the era it debuted in, and the service legacy it represents.

The collection also marks Cathay’s 80th anniversary, spotlighting vintage uniform looks that will be worn by around 2,000 cabin crew and ground staff throughout the year. It’s heritage, stitched neatly into a festive envelope. The limited-edition set is available via Cathay Shop, alongside other 80th anniversary merchandise, while stocks last.

3. EFG Bank 

EFG Bank’s red packets lean fully into the Year of the Horse, featuring an embossed golden horse set mid-leap against a rich red backdrop, framed by plum blossoms in full bloom. The horse appears to break out of the packet itself, giving the design a strong sense of motion and confidence.

Drawing from idioms such as 马到成功 (swift success) and 一马当先 (leading from the front), the visuals symbolise momentum, ambition and a head start for the year ahead. The plum blossoms add a quieter layer of meaning, representing resilience and renewal even in challenging times.

With its tactile embossing and gold detailing, the angpao elevates a familiar festive staple into something more refined, balancing heritage symbolism with a modern, forward-looking finish.

4. Geneco

Geneco’s red packets come with a little surprise tucked inside, literally. The limited-edition collection features four vibrant floral designs, each with an intricate pop-up motif that springs to life when the packet is opened, adding a playful, hands-on twist to a familiar tradition.

But it’s not just about the visuals. Each angpao also shares bite-sized facts about the Singapore Herbarium, turning the act of giving into a small learning moment, especially for younger recipients who might be seeing red packets in a whole new way. Staying true to its sustainability ethos, the packets are printed on 100% recycled paper. It’s a thoughtful nod to Geneco’s commitment to a greener future, blending festive cheer with a gentle reminder that even age-old customs can evolve with purpose.

5. Hepmil

Hepmil decided to zig where everyone else zagged. After years of angpaos that screamed for attention from across the room, the team went in the opposite direction, way, way smaller.

This year’s design is intentionally tiny, the kind that makes recipients do a double take before bursting out laughing. It’s playful, unexpected, and very on-brand for a company that thrives on internet humour and surprise. These miniature red packets aren’t for sale and are reserved exclusively for partners, making them less mass-market flex and more inside joke, the kind you remember long after the cash is spent.

6. Kopitiam x Lau Pa Sat 

Kopitiam and Lau Pa Sat are keeping things deliciously on-theme this Year of the Horse, with red packets that feel like a love letter to local flavours. Kopitiam is going full nostalgia with its “Carousel Horse of prosperity” ang bao. Inspired by the spin and momentum of a merry-go-round, the design leans into warm, familiar hues drawn from kopi, teh, bubur cha cha and pillowy bao. It’s playful, comforting, and very much rooted in everyday Singapore.

The limited-edition packs can be redeemed with a minimum spend of SG$3.80 at selected Kopitiam Kopi Kiosks islandwide from 16 January to 28 February 2026, while stocks last.

Over at Lau Pa Sat, the angpao quite literally puts a spin on tradition. Inspired by the phrase “食来运转” (good fortune turns with food), the design comes with a built-in spinner that cycles through iconic hawker dishes. Each turn symbolises abundance, shared meals and the joy of eating together, which feels very on-brand for a place where food is the main character.

Available from 12 January, the red packets can be redeemed with a minimum spend of SG$10 at Food Folks @ Lau Pa Sat (up to two combined receipts) or purchased at SG$3.80 per pack, while stocks last.

7. MAAD Creatives

MAAD Creatives is flipping the red packet game this Lunar New Year with the MAAD 马NEY BAO 2026 (ma-nee, a nod to the horse 马). This isn’t your average envelope, once opened, it folds into a self-balancing, three-dimensional rocking horse, complete with a tassel that doubles as its tail.

The design turns form into fun. Custom die-cuts and precision scoring make the horse stand and rock on its own, creating a playful mini sculpture that keeps the spirit of CNY alive long after the money’s gone. Not for sale, the unique design is a limited-edition keepsake for MAAD’s clients and partners. It’s a charming reminder that red packets don’t have to be disposable, sometimes, they’re meant to rock.

8. MINI Singapore

MINI Singapore is taking the Year of the Horse for a spin with its 2026 festive packets, celebrating the joy of duality. Inspired by the adventurous MINI Countryman, each angpao opens in two directions, revealing urban festivities on one side and suburban exploration on the other, all wrapped in terrain-inspired graphics.

The design, crafted with Kinetic, uses a clever ‘MagicCard wallet’ technique, turning a simple red packet into a playful, MINI-style surprise. Launched on 26 January, the packets were shared with MINI owners, business partners, and giveaway winners across Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Indonesia, making it a collectible treat for fans of the brand.

9. OpenAI

OpenAI is bringing a techy twist to the Year of the Horse with its Lunar New Year angpaos, designed to make giving and receiving red packets a little more interactive. Decked out in soft pinks and florals, each packet carries playful ChatGPT prompts, from “What’s a fun way to use my ang bao money?” to “What’s my lucky outfit colour today?”, inviting small sparks of curiosity and delight.

The idea? To reflect how Singaporeans already turn to AI for practical guidance while keeping traditions intact. These red packets aren’t replacing family rituals, they’re conversation starters, helping bridge generations and create shared moments of joy. By turning a familiar festive gesture into a prompt-powered experience, OpenAI shows that even something as simple as a red packet can inspire connection, ideas, and a touch of fun as everyone steps into the new year.

10. Pepper Lunch

Pepper Lunch is turning up the festive fun this Chinese New Year with a giant 19" red packet packed with goodies. Diners who spend a minimum of SG$48 can snag the oversized angpao, which comes with six standard red packets and four Peppie couplets, more blessings, more HUAT, and more festive vibes.

Available at Pepper Lunch restaurants until 23 February 2026, these jumbo packets are designed to delight both the eyes and the wallet… or at least make a bold table centerpiece while the money gets passed around.

11. Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) is inviting a bit of festive hands-on fun this Lunar New Year. Designed by Studio Grain, this year’s red packets feature the Year of the Horse and can be folded into a 3D display piece, doubling as a decoration that adds a touch of harmony and prosperity to any space.

The design ties into SCCC’s CNY art installation which transforms the roof garden into a grove of discovery celebrating Chinese culture, traditions, and the layered meanings of the Lunar New Year. These collectible ang baos are available now at SCCC, while stocks last, a playful way to bring culture, design, and festive cheer together.

12. Sweatshop

Sweatshop’s “馬票” angpao is all about luck, wordplay, and a wink to tradition. Playing on the double meaning of “馬票”, literally “horse ticket” and slang for lottery numbers, each red packet comes stamped with four numbers, letting recipients take a playful shot at 4D fortune.

Rather than start from scratch, Sweatshop gives old zodiac red packets a second life. Lucky numbers and auspicious sayings are stamped over past designs that would otherwise be tossed, turning sustainability into a fun, thoughtful twist. The result? A Year of the Horse ang bao that’s cheeky, green, and all about passing on prosperity, with a dash of hope for a lucky win.

13. Tiong Bahru Bakery

Tiong Bahru Bakery’s 2026 ang baos are full of charm and personality. Created in-house, the set features two original designs: a playful horse that’s majestic on the outside but secretly stressed (we’ve all been there during festive visits), and a cheerful pineapple symbolising luck and optimism for the year ahead.

Guests who spend a minimum of SG$15 can grab a lucky envelope, which may include a set of eight red packets, discount vouchers across TBB and partner brands, or a chance to win TBB merchandise. Launched on 29 January, these red packets are available at all Tiong Bahru Bakery outlets until 3 March 2026, while stocks last, perfect for spreading a little festive cheer with every bite and every envelope.

Thank you to all the brands and agencies who shared your red packet designs with us. Wishing everyone a joyous and prosperous Chinese New Year.

Showcase your most innovative content and gain recognition from a panel of industry leaders by entering the inaugural Content360 Awards. Submit your work today and be part of the celebration that honours the campaigns defining the future of content marketing.

Related articles: 
CapitaLand Malls wishes shoppers a paws-perous CNY with Mofusand takeover    
Gov.sg finds connection in the chaos of reunion dinners this CNY   
Eu Yan Sang Singapore and Jeanette Aw bring heart to CNY gifting