It’s universal that gifts are usually given to express respect, gratitude, friendship, love or hospitality. Chinese people do the same just as in many other countries in the world. The etiquette of Gift-giving in China may be a little different from other countries.
 
With a history of thousands of years, China’s etiquette has formed and been passed down generation to generation. There is a proverb/fixed phrase known by every Chinese “礼尚往来 Li Shang Wang Lai” meaning courtesy demands reciprocity. Chinese believe people who are well-mannered to others will equally be treated with kindness and favor. The customary reciprocity is also considered a traditional way to build and maintain friendships. If a Chinese person receives a gift, invitation or hospitable treatment from someone, they will offer back to the one when there is a suitable occasion.
 
For birthdays, weddings or parties, giving suitable gifts is also important in China. It normally does not matter whether your gift is expensive, big or not but it matters if your relationship is very close. Of course you’d better give something that the recipient likes or appreciates, except that close friends or families tend to express congratulations mainly by giving a Hong Bao nowadays for weddings in China. Hong Bao is a red envolope stuffed with cash. The amount of cash in the Hong Bao varies according to your relationship with this person and depending on your personal financial status and budget, from several hundred to several thousand Yuan. It also varies depending on areas of the country.
 
For other occasions, I will provide some suggestions for the manners of giving and receiving gifts in China for your reference.
 
General Tips for Gift-giving in China:
 
Rules for giving gifts in the Chinese way:
 
1. When you are invited to a Chinese friend’s home, it is common to say thank you by giving a gift.
 
2. For the gift, you can choose gifts such as wine, tea or something useful for the whole family. Also, some special gifts from your country or family are also very meaningful and will be appreciated.
 
3. Traditionally, the recipient should not appear greedy when others give gifts to him/her. The recipient often declines the gift twice or for three times before accepting it. You should insist to offer the gift again after the recipient declines the gift, and he or she may finally accept your gift. Nowadays this is changing among the younger Chinese, expressing happiness while accepting the gift without declining is becoming very normal.
 
4. In China, the recipient should not open the gift before the giver. They will open the gift or the Hong Bao after you leave the party, and then send a thank you message.
 
5. The gift should be wrapped properly. There are requirements for package colors for different occasions.
 
Red – common an happy occasions
White and black – funerals
 
Things you should not give as a gift:
1.Clocks The Chinese word for “clock” sounds exactly like “ending” or finishing.
2.Umbrellas Sending an umbrella to someone means to end relationships.
 
Expressions you say when you give a gift:
This is a gift for you. 这是给您的礼物。Zhè shì gěi nín de lǐwù.
Please accept it. 请收下。Qǐng shōu xià.
 
General Tips for Receiving Gifts:
 
1. Recipients should receive the gift with both hands, same as when you receive someone’s business card.
 
2. For foreigners, people would like recipients to open the gift as soon as they receive it, while Chinese people would like to open it later. So if you receive a gift you could ask “Would you like me to open it right now?”
 
3. If you receive a gift in the mail, you can call, give back a gift or send a thank you message.
 
Expressions you say when you receive a gift or an invitation you may say:
Thank you for the invitation: 谢谢您的邀请！Xièxiè nín de yāoqǐng!
You are too polite. 您太客气了。Nín tài kèqi le.
 
Article by Emma Wang, Miracle Mandarin co-founder.
 
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