Celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year is a custom, not a religion.
Traditionally, the whole family gather together and make dumplings from scratch. That being dumpling shape looks like the gold nuggets used centuries (?) ago. So making/eating dumplings bring good luck for the coming new year. ===> Yes, I am from Taiwan and I consider myself Chinese.
I used to invite friends/co-workers for the tradition, and told them “Now you’ve been adopted to the Family”.
A good gift would be a Chinese New Year card, just like Christmas card (if you can find it in Chinese grocery stores or China Town). So the recipients won’t feel monetary burden to reciprocate the kind gesture.
Otherwise, you can Bing search online, there are free greetings/images you can download. ===> As the American saying goes, it is the thought that counts.
I found out that tonight is the traditional start of the New Year. I have ordered gifts that will not arrive until late tomorrow. Should I give them what I have now and the other items later?