One of the most vivid memories from my childhood is helping my mother slip coins into hongbao on the eve of Chinese New Year.

It was an annual experience I cherished, and I carried on the practice with my own children.

This may come to an end with the rising popularity of e-hongbao, and future generations will not experience the pleasure of smelling newly minted cash or feeling the crisp notes from hongbao printed with auspicious wording (MAS encourages Singaporeans to opt for e-hongbao this CNY, Jan 12).