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Chinese New Year & Fortune Cookies
Fortune Cookies are a popular choice when it comes to budget-friendly giveaways and after-dinner treats during the Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year period, but nothing beats a seasonal Fortune Cookie during the new year period. You might even remember receiving them with a meal at an Aussie Chinese restaurant in the past and cracking them open to reveal an insightful (or humourous) fortune.
But what is the history behind these sweet treats, and are they appropriate to hand out during CNY celebrations? You’ll be happy to learn that while the history of fortune cookies is a little different from what you might expect, they remain a best-selling Chinese New Year trend regardless. Keen to learn more? Let’s break it down!
The History of Fortune Cookies
Promotional fortune cookies are believed to be at least somewhat inspired by the tsujiura senbei from Japan, biscuits made from dough containing local delicacies like miso and sesame that then had fortunes tucked into them. Several claimants over the years from across the US have suggested they brought the concept to the states and subsequently popularised it. The most legitimate of these appears to be the claim of Makoto Hagiwara, who was based in San Francisco, though disagreement rages on.
What does seem clear is that while Japanese entrepreneurs seem to have dominated the introductory period of the fortune cookie in the US, during and subsequent to World War II, Chinese-Americans appear to have refined the biscuits (one theory we saw on Wikipedia attributes this to the period of American internment camps during the war).
The general consensus seems to be that American diners expect sweets after a meal. So rather than offering a full dessert, Chinese restaurants in the US at the time began offering their fortune cookies (often with tea) after dinner to satiate the sweet tooths of their customers without breaking the bank or presenting them with a dish they couldn’t take away with them. The biscuit was adopted broadly by Asian-American eateries and eventually exported overseas, including places like Australia and the UK, where you can still expect to get some at the conclusion of your succulent Chinese meal.
Why Fortune Cookies During Chinese New Year?
Regardless of their origin, over the past century, fortune cookies have become synonymous with Chinese dining both here and overseas. So when people engage with Chinese culture at the markets, a restaurant, or a promotional event, you’ll find that fortune cookies are often incorporated into the marketing outreach to consumers. Chinese New Year and other Lunar New Year celebrations are no exception to this rule. This period represents the busiest time of year for our cookie-producing team here in Australia (that’s right, our fortune cookies are made right here in Sydney). We make hundreds of thousands of custom cookies with tailored fortunes and packaging to suit the annual New Year’s celebrations.
What makes fortune cookies so popular during Lunar New Year is what also helped popularise them as treats at the end of a meal. Lightweight, affordable, and easy to hand out to people on the move, fortune cookies are bite-sized goodies that leave a minimal mess and offer engagement to consumers through their unique fortunes. Customisation is key during CNY because we can make fortune cookies in any colour, with any custom decorations you like, and with bespoke fortunes befitting your event or promotion.
Tips for Lunar New Year Fortune Cookie Promotions
Want to know how the pros use branded fortune cookies during the Lunar New Year? Cubic Promote has you covered; here are some of our favourite tips for making the most of bulk-branded fortune cookies in the new year.
- Customise Your Fortunes. We actually include 5 custom fortunes with every bulk order, so it costs nothing extra to have some bespoke fortunes relevant to your event, industry, or patrons in the mix (we can add more to the batch for a small charge). Having a custom fortune that speaks to your recipients makes your Chinese New Year cookies feel much more personal and can help elevate your brand image.
- Add a Splash of Colour. One simple way to stand out from the crowd is to ask for your fortune cookies in custom colours. During the CNY period, red and yellow are popular cookie colour choices and will immediately draw the eye without costing the earth. A smart and seasonal way to present your cookies in a relevant manner.
- Pair Fortune Cookies With Red Envelopes. Lunar New Year is when personalised red packets are presented complete with money tucked inside to lucky family members (kids and singles). Pair a custom fortune cookie with a custom red envelope and distribute them at a family event to parents as they’ll appreciate the red packet to use later for gifting, and the kids will love the cookies. A perfect combo for the season!
If you’d like to know more about our range of promotional fortune cookies or other gifts appropriate for the Lunar and Chinese New Year season, please don’t hesitate to speak to our friendly customer care team for expert guidance today 1300 858 288!
