a gift or token for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, as at the beginning of the new year or when entering upon a new situation or enterprise.
a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year.
to give a gift to [v HANDSELED, HANDSELING, HANDSELLED, HANDSELLING, HANDSELS]
a gift for good luck at the beginning of a new year, new venture, etc
to give a handsel to (a person)
to begin (a venture) with ceremony; inaugurate
to give a good luck gift to, also HANSEL [v HANDSELLED, HANDSELLING, HANDSELS]