Duit Raya: Who Gives, and How Much?

At Hari Raya Aidilfitri, it is customary to give duit raya, money in small green packets, much as red packets are given at Chinese New Year. It is a gesture of generosity and sharing after the month of fasting, in the spirit of charity that runs through Ramadan. Because it is a custom rather than a fixed obligation, the question everyone actually asks is: how much, and to whom?

Who gives to whom

The general flow is that those who are working give to those who are not, most commonly:

Working adults to children, their own and those of relatives and friends who visit.
Many also give to parents and elders as a mark of respect and gratitude.
Some also give to domestic helpers and the children of close colleagues.

Someone who is not yet earning is not expected to give. There is no obligation on the young or the unemployed to reciprocate.

How much is "right"

There is no fixed amount, and anyone who gives you a rigid table is overstating it. It is guided by your means and your closeness to the person, not a rule. That said, common practice in Singapore scales gently with age and relationship. As a rough sense of what people do (custom, not a rule):

Young children: a few dollars, often $2 to $10.
Teenagers: a little more, often $10 to $20.
Parents and close elders: a more considered sum, whatever feels right for your means.

Crisp new notes and round figures are the norm, and sincerity matters far more than the amount. If you are budgeting, estimate how many children and relatives you will see, decide a comfortable per-person range, and prepare the packets in advance, because the giving happens fast during visits.

The etiquette

Give during visits, over the Hari Raya period, not just on the first day.
Prepare packets ahead, sorted loosely by who you expect, so you are not counting notes at the door.
A warm greeting goes with it: "Selamat Hari Raya".

The green packet, and how it differs from ang bao

The packets are traditionally green (and increasingly other colours and designs), which distinguishes them from the red of Chinese New Year. Many are printed with Hari Raya motifs like ketupat or the crescent. The custom rhymes with the CNY ang bao, but the two are separate traditions tied to different festivals, and duit raya is not linked to any belief about luck; it is simply generosity and sharing.

Common questions

Is duit raya religious or obligatory? No. It is a cultural custom of generosity, not a religious obligation with a set amount. The obligatory giving in this period is Zakat Fitrah, which is separate.

How much should I give a young child? There is no rule. Commonly a few dollars; give what suits your means and your closeness to the family.

Do adults give to other adults? Mostly the working give to children and to their own parents and elders. Adults of similar standing do not usually exchange duit raya.

What colour packet? Green is traditional, though many designs and colours are now sold. New or clean notes are the norm.

For the meaning of the celebration itself, see Puasa vs Haji, and for this year's dates, the 2027 page.