When I sat down to lunch with a fellow Year-of-the-Rabbit parent recently, he proudly flashed me his new red bracelet that was hand-braided by Tibetan monks. Apparently, when it’s your zodiac year (本命年 benmingnian) it’s tradition to get something red to wear for the entire year in order to ward off bad luck, since all celestial eyes are on you – this being your year. This corroborates the research I’ve skimmed on the subject and so, in the spirit of celebrating the Year of the Rabbit, we’ve rounded up some cool bunny-themed trinkets and stuff you can get right here in Beijing.

Jasmine’s Jewelry

Since bracelets are generally easier to leave on without much hassle, local jewelry designer Jasmine has designed a wide range of them for this CNY, from raw materials ranging from silver to 18k gold to jade and even cinnabar. I chose a design that spoke to me, then asked her to customize it with a few touches, and voilà! I received it the next day! Quality is great and prices are very reasonable as well. Scan the QR code below to contact her.

Mosaic

One thing I love about Chinese characters is how they are so often pictographic of the word they represent, so the character 兔 really looks like a rabbit! Another jewelry designer, Arzu, has taken that concept and made these adorable silver earrings in honor of this zodiac animal. She’s also offering other Chinese character earrings that may help invoke the promise of “longevity” and “prosperity” for the new year.

Wobaby Basics

This Shanghai-based expat-repreneur brand offers cool zodiac-themed clothing in GOTS certified organic cotton for babies and children. The bonus? There’s a 50% discount on clothing and 20% off muslin swaddles from now until Feb 2, plus free delivery across China!

Calzedonia

Slip into these oh-so-adorable bunny tights from Italian brand Calzedonia and throw on a wool dress or skirt to complete the look! Or if you’ve got a fancy date night coming up, get the diamond-lined stockings that end with a diamond playboy-esque bunny at the back of the ankles for a sexier touch. While you’re there, grab a few thermal tights at discounted prices thanks to CNY!

Bunny Luck Quilling Workshop

Want to make your own luck? Check out Annette Golden’s Bunny Luck Quilling workshop and create a beautiful and perhaps lucky piece of art in the form of the zodiac bunny. Children 8 and above are welcome to join the workshop and master the quilling technique in three hours! Scan the QR code in the poster below to register.

KEEP READING: Beware the Bunny Buying Craze for CNY, Plus Rabbits for Adoption!

Images: Pexels, courtesy of vendors

Whether you subscribe to the belief or not, the Chinese zodiac is certainly an entertaining story. But it has a downside as well, and that usually happens when it comes to the zodiac year of a cute domestic animal, such as this year’s Year of the Rabbit.

As rabbit-themed decorations and merchandise are taking center stage in Chinese malls and on online shopping platforms, the darker side of this bunny craze is seeing increased sales of live rabbits as pets. Local news sources report that a single pet store owner can sell as many as 20 to 30 pet rabbits each day in the lead-up to the Chinese New Year festival. Prices range from just RMB 10 to RMB 200 depending on how reputable the store is, and the breed and age of the rabbit.

While rabbits are absolutely adorable creatures, they are notoriously difficult to rear as pets due to their sensitive nature. Plus, the more unusual the breed, such as the super fluffy Angora, the more specific their needs and the more care they require. But of course this information is not being circulated as widely as photos and videos of these cute critters nibbling on carrots and looking like the perfect laid-back pet.

“Thirty percent more rabbits are abandoned in the Year of the Rabbit than usual,” reports the Rabbit Association of Singapore (RAS), which does not recommend young children raise rabbits. An RAS volunteer who was gifted a pet rabbit that died shortly afterwards warns the public not to gift other people pet rabbits in the hopes of good luck in the Year of the Rabbit, cautioning: “It’s not very expensive to buy a rabbit, but you need to take them to see a veterinarian once you bring them home. It costs hundreds of yuan to get them properly vaccinated and licensed. In addition, rabbits are easily prone to illness and their medical costs are very high.”

Most people are not even aware that the average lifespan of a rabbit goes beyond ten years! Is your family really ready for this decade-long commitment to raising a vulnerable life? If not, we suggest that parents get bunny toys for their little ones instead.

Alternatively, you could also adopt instead of shop. There are so many abandoned animals out there just hoping for a home. Check out these two cuties up for adoption right now!

KEEP READING: It’s Decided. Here’s How Much You SHOULD Give Ayi for CNY

Images: Pexels, Eve Kinsella