The Mid-Autumn Festival has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a time when families come together, share mooncakes, admire the full moon, and take a moment to appreciate the bonds that hold us close. 

But over the years, one thing has become a bit hard to ignore: the sheer amount of packaging that comes along with those mooncakes! It feels like every brand creates beautiful, intricate boxes for the festival—and as lovely as they are, most of them end up gathering dust or, worse, getting tossed out. At House of Tan, we’ve been thinking about ways to change that. Why can’t a mooncake box be as practical as it is pretty?

That’s where this year’s design comes in. If you’ve been following along with our journey, you might remember that two years ago, we shared ideas for repurposing mooncake boxes in creative ways. 

Last year, we even went so far as to design a box that came with a pickleball set, perfect for keeping the fun going long after the festival. This year, though, we decided to take it up a notch with something that’s not just reusable, but downright useful: a mini suitcase that you’ll actually want to take with you wherever you go.

The 2024 Mooncake Suitcase: Thoughtful, Practical, and Perfect for Tea Lovers

Instead of the typical mooncake box, this year we’ve designed a charming little suitcase. Inside, you’ll find a travel tea set, because really—what’s more essential in our culture than tea? 

The set includes a ceramic teapot and four teacups, neatly stored together in a protective pouch. It’s perfect for when you’re traveling, picnicking, or just enjoying a quiet tea session at home. 

We also included a tea towel and a pack of loose-leaf tea to complete the experience.

For us at House of Tan, tea is more than just a drink. It’s a tradition, a way to connect, and a way to slow down and savor the moment—especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

When we pair mooncakes with tea, it creates this beautiful blend of flavors and feelings that really captures the spirit of the season. That’s why we felt it was important to make tea an integral part of this year’s gift.

Of course, we didn’t forget the mooncakes! But instead of packing in too many, we’re only including four. 

We know mooncakes are abundant during the festival, and we didn’t want to add to the excess. These four mooncakes are a sweet nod to tradition without overloading anyone’s pantry.

A Gift That Lasts: Beyond the Festival

What’s really exciting about this year’s design is how functional the suitcase is beyond the festival. It’s not just a pretty box—it’s a practical piece that’s perfect for travel or storage. 

Once the festival is over and the mooncakes are long gone, you can use this suitcase in all kinds of ways. We’ve even thought about it being the perfect size for carrying four wine bottles, so it’s great for gatherings, picnics, or travel.

Inside the suitcase, there’s a zippered compartment for organization and a mesh pocket, so it’s as practical as it is stylish. The materials were chosen for durability, meaning it’s designed to last, while still being lightweight and easy to carry. 

Whether you use it to store your tea set or as a travel bag, the goal was to make something you’d want to keep around for the long haul—much better than a typical box that gets discarded after the holiday.

Continuing Our Tradition of Reusable, Thoughtful Design

This isn’t the first time we’ve focused on creating sustainable, functional gifts. Last year, our pickleball set was a hit, showing how mooncake packaging can be playful and practical. 

This year, we’ve kept that same spirit but leaned even more into functionality with the travel tea set and suitcase. It’s all part of our ongoing effort at House of Tan to make sure the gifts we give not only celebrate tradition but also have a lasting impact.

This year, we also created a special mooncake package for our Luen Thai Group staff. 

Instead of the suitcase, we designed a beautiful and functional bento box, perfect for those who bring their own lunch to work. 

It’s another way we’re encouraging sustainability in our community, offering packaging that can be reused daily rather than discarded. 

With so many of our staff already bringing their own meals, this bento box felt like a natural and practical choice—another step in our ongoing effort to reduce waste while celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

When I think about the Mid-Autumn Festival, it’s not just the mooncakes or the tea that comes to mind. It’s the feeling of connection—gathering with loved ones, sharing stories, and appreciating the beauty of the season. 

We wanted this year’s design to reflect that sense of connection, while also doing our part to reduce waste. By creating something that’s truly reusable, we hope to inspire others to think about sustainability in a way that’s simple and meaningful.

So, after the festival is over and the moon has faded from the sky, take your suitcase with you. Whether it’s for a weekend getaway, a picnic, or storing your favorite teas, we hope it brings you just a bit of joy and reminds you of the warmth of this season.

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