SINGAPORE: Most recipients of hong bao usually look forward to what is inside the red packet.

But for one group of collectors, the money envelopes alone are a source of joy, even if they are empty.

Connie Tai started collecting red packets some 20 years and she now has more than 10,000 red packets of different designs.

She said: "I choose mostly zodiac ones and of course, those that signify good luck. Cartoonish, children's hong bao are also among my favourites."

Connie's red packets come from as far as China. Last year, she even started the Hong Bao Sub-group, under the Kreta Ayer Stamp Society.

Connie, who is the group's chairperson, said there are currently 12 members in the group.

Friends who know of her hobby also chip in and buy red packets for her whenever they see pretty ones that they know she will like.

Among her collection are rare packets from the now defunct supermarket, Yaohan, and several merchant banks that have closed down.

Another avid collector is 57-year-old Wong Chiat Wan, who started this hobby eight years ago.

Mr Wong also has more than 10,000 red packets in his collection and some of these hong bao can be considered vintage as they date as far back as the 1950s. Money envelopes then were made for coins and are no longer available today.

"I'm interested in very old things, antique things, so I started collecting them," he said.

Mr Wong has been offered high prices for some of his collection, but he is not interested in striking any deals with regard to his prized possession.

Together with at least 50 other collectors, Mr Wong is part of the Northeast Collectors Club and he displays his collection at public exhibitions.


- CNA/so