Why Is It Called Chinese Gift Exchange

Why Is It Called Chinese Gift Exchange - Not only is the choice of gift important in Chinese culture, but how much you spend on it, how you wrap it and how you give it are equally important. In Chinese societies, gifts are given for holidays such as birthdays, at official business meetings, and at special events such as dinner at a friend's home.

Table Of Contents

Source: upload.wikimedia.org

Why Is It Called Chinese Gift Exchange

While red envelopes are the more popular choice for Chinese New Year and weddings, gifts are also acceptable. The value of the gift depends on the occasion and your relationship with the recipient. In a business setting where more than one person will receive a gift, the senior should receive the most expensive gift.

Never give the same gift to people from different ranks in the company. While there are times when an expensive gift is necessary, extravagant and lavish gifts may not be well received for various reasons. Firstly, the person may be embarrassed because he or she cannot repay with a gift of similar value or, in business dealings, especially with politicians, it may appear to be bribery.

When giving a red envelope, the amount of money depends on the situation. There is much debate about how much to give: The amount in red envelopes given to children for Chinese New Year depends on the age and relationship of the giver to the child.

When Should I Give A Gift?

For younger kids, the equivalent of about $7 dollars is fine. More money is given to older children and young people. The amount is usually enough for the child to buy a gift such as a t-shirt or a DVD. Parents can give the child a higher amount, as material gifts are usually not given during holidays.

Source: studycli.org

For employees, a year-end bonus is usually the equivalent of one month's salary, although the amount can vary from enough money to buy a small gift to more than one month's salary. If you​​​​​​are going to a wedding, the money in the red envelope should be equivalent to a nice gift that would be given in a western wedding.

It should be enough to cover the expenses of the guest at the wedding. For example, if the wedding dinner costs the bride and groom $35 per person, the money in the envelope must be at least $35. In Taiwan, typical amounts for money are: NT$1,200, NT$1,600, NT$2,200, NT$2,600, NT$3,200 and NT$3,600.

As with Chinese New Year, the amount of money is based on your relationship with the recipient - the closer your relationship with the bride and groom, the more money is expected. Close family members like parents and siblings give more money than regular friends.

How Much Should I Spend On A Gift?

It is not uncommon for clients to be invited to weddings. Business partners often put more money in the envelope to strengthen the business relationship. Less money is given for birthdays than for Chinese New Year and weddings, as it is seen as the least important of the three occasions.

Nowadays, people often just bring birthday presents. Certain amounts should be avoided at all times. Anything with four is best avoided because 四 (sì, four) looks like 死 (sǐ, death). Even numbers, except four, are better than odd numbers. Eight is a particularly auspicious number.

Source: www.realsimple.com

The money in the red envelope must always be new and crisp. Folding up the money or giving dirty or wrinkled bills is inauspicious. Coins and checks are avoided, the former because change is not worth much and the latter because checks are not widely used in Asia.

Chinese gifts can be wrapped with wrapping paper and bows, just like gifts in the West. However, some colors should be avoided. Red is lucky. Pink and yellow represent happiness. Gold is for wealth and riches. Wrappings, ribbons and bows in these colors are the best.

How Should I Wrap The Gift?

Avoid white, which is used in funerals and symbolizes death. Black and blue also represent death and should not be used. ​​​​​​​If you include a greeting card or gift tag, do not write in red ink, as it symbolizes death. Never write a Chinese name in red ink as it is considered bad luck.

If you give a red envelope, there are a few points to remember. Unlike a Western greeting card, red envelopes given during Chinese New Year are usually left unsigned. For birthdays or weddings, a short message, usually a four-character phrase, and a signature are optional.

A few four-letter expressions that apply to a red wedding envelope are 天作之合 (tiānzuò zhīhé, marriage made in heaven) or 百年好合 (bǎinián hǎo hé, one hundred years of happy marriage). The money in the red envelope must always be new and crisp. Folding up the money or giving dirty or wrinkled bills is inauspicious.

Source: i.pinimg.com

Coins and checks are avoided, the former because change is not worth much and the latter because checks are not widely used in Asia. It is best to exchange gifts in private or for a whole group. In business meetings, it is a bad idea to offer a gift to just one person before everyone else.

How Should I Present The Gift?

If you have prepared just one gift, you must give it to the highest person. When you​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ have a gift about the appropriateness of giving it, it´s good to say that the gift is from your company instead of you. Always give gifts to the elderly person first.

Don't be surprised if your gift is immediately returned with a gift of equal value, as this is the Chinese way of thanking you. If you receive a gift, you must also repay the gift with something of equal value. When giving the gift, the recipient might not open it right away because it might make them shy or seem greedy.

When you receive a gift, you should not open it immediately. can seem greedy. When you receive a gift, you should not open it immediately. Most recipients will politely decline the gift at first. If he or she refuses the gift more than once, take the hint and don't press the issue.

When giving a gift, give the gift to the person with both hands. The gift is considered an extension of the person, and handing it with both hands shows respect. When you receive a gift, accept it with both hands and say thank you. After a gift, it is customary to send an email or better, a thank you card, to show appreciation for the gift.

chinese xmas gift exchange, good chinese gift exchange ideas, gift ideas for chinese gift exchange, chinese christmas game, chinese christmas gift exchange game, best chinese gift exchange gift, gifts for chinese gift exchange, chinese christmas gift ideas