THE minimum sum for a hongbao, or red packet, has doubled from what it has been in the past few years.

Now, $2 is not enough - recipients expect at least $4. Eleven of the 20 hongbao givers my paper spoke to said they would give more than $2 this year.

Madam Susan Sit, 52, a promoter, asked: "What can we buy with $2? Even food at the hawker centres costs at least $2.50."

She plans to gives $4 to her acquaintances' children.

A hongbao is a red packet, filled with new notes. It is given out during Chinese New Year to children and unmarried people to bless them and wish them well.

For financial adviser Lily Tan, 36, the basic amount is $6.

She said: "$4 is a bit miserable. It's really out of the question in today's market."

However, others say $2 is enough when given to people they do not know very well.

Said sales assistant Madam Cham Kim Eng, 52: "It's better than nothing. Money is hard to earn."

Some hongbao recipients also say they have no problems with getting less than the market rate.

Undergraduate Koh Shu Ying, 21, said: "It's the thought that counts. If not, people who have to give a lot of hongbao to acquaintances and their children will go broke."

Many agreed that the minimum amount varies according to the financial well-being of the giver and his or her family.

Said part-time promoter Amy Toh, 60. "If you don't have enough money, how can you give a lot?"