Dos and Don’ts of Gift-giving in Chinese Culture

Gifting should be easy. Go to your best gift shop in Hong Kong and get the best gift for your loved ones and deliver it to them. That’s not the only thing you need to worry about. Learn about the things you should avoid and basic gifting etiquette in China. Here are the dos and don’ts of gifting in China.

Dos

1. Mark the dates: It’s wise to mark all the dates you ought to send a gift to your family, friends, and associates. You can go with the Chinese traditions as well as other events such as birthdays and Valentine’s Day.
2. Gift money for certain occasions: Funerals, Chinese New Year, and weddings are some of the occasions when you could gift cash. You can hand it over in a red envelope to symbolize good luck.
3. Buy local gifts: If you are visiting a new city from rural China, it’s a perfect idea to bring some items only found in your region. Bring local gifts to your family and friends as souvenirs.
4. Avoid gifts considered as taboos: Check whether an item is listed as a taboo gift in China. If you are visiting, you could ask around before buying the gift for a friend.

Don’ts

1. Don’t give items in sets of four: Number four is associated with death, hence, bad luck. Send gift items in pairs as a symbol of luck. Eight is also an ideal number for gifts.
2. Don’t open the gift immediately: You should wait for the giver to leave before opening the gift. This way they won’t feel embarrassed in case you don’t like it.

Chinese Festivals that You Should Gift

Gifting is phenomenal when you have good timing. You shouldn’t feel restricted to gift during specific events and occasions but you ought to know when you could gift a loved one.

• Chinese New Year

The festival is also known as the spring festival when Chinese people visit family members and set fireworks off after midnight. Bring your family a Lunar New Year Wine Gift With Peninsula CNY Pudding and enjoy your moment together.

• Mid-Autumn Festivals

Also known as the moon festival, the mid-autumn festival also serves as their thanksgiving day. Gift your little one with an Gold Blossom Fruit Hamper with Kee Wah Mooncake & Wine or Champagne as you narrate the ancient Jade Rabbit myth. With the doll to cuddle, she will relate to the mythical creature.

• Shangsi Festival

The festival celebrates Traditional Chinese women’s day. This is the best time to visit your mother and make the women in your life feel special. For instance, a gift appreciation could be a perfect idea. Get them a and make their cooking fun and entertaining.

 Gifting Taboo in Chinese Culture

The items listed below are considered taboos in China, so be sure not to give someone any of the items as a gift. Your gestures mean well, but the cultural meaning could ruin your relationship.

• Candles

While in most western countries people light candles to grieve the loss of a loved one, in China you don’t want to bring candles to the bereaved. Ancient Chinese culture associates candles with rituals for the departed.

• Clocks

Giving a clock to a Chinese, especially, the elderly has the same meaning as attending a funeral. You sure don’t mean to tell the recipient how much you want them to die. They may feel cursed and that you wish them dead or bad luck.

• Umbrella

The word umbrella sounds separate in mandarin. You don’t want to give a couple or your significant other an umbrella as it might suggest that you intend to separate from them or that you wish the couple a divorce.

• Sharp Objects

Objects such as scissors or knives, or any objects use for cutting mean cutting off a relationship with a person. Unless you intend to end your relationship with the recipient, avoid these items for gifts.

• White and black colors

Black and white colors in China are associated with grief, mourning, and sorrows as they are used during burial or funeral ceremonies. If you are gifting someone, avoid sending them a white or black-colored gift or one in a black envelope, package, or wrapping. You wish them well, so don’t let your gift symbolize bad luck.