Gung Hay Box of Joy

Along with the glittery red-and-gold decorations for next week’s Chinese New Year celebrations, Chinatown shops are selling compartmentalized containers packed with fancy holiday confections. These are nice to give as gifts, set out for teatime snacks or offer as dessert after a New Year’s dinner at home. For large gatherings, there’s a 70-ounce box (that’s over four pounds) from S.N. Trading Co. in Hong Kong. In the center are colored strands of coconut and dainty coconut flowers. The 10 compartments surrounding it contain candied water chestnuts, lotus root, lotus seeds, winter melon, carrot, ginger, individually wrapped candied kumquats, soursop candies and more. It’s a spectacular arrangement, but smaller containers are available for more modest occasions.

Chinese New Year box of sweets, 70-ounce size, $19.99 at Wing Hop Fung Ginseng & China Products Center, 727 N. Broadway, #102, Los Angeles; (213) 626-7200.