Do and Don't when purchasing a Christmas present for your Chinese Friend

In terms of buying holiday presents, we Chinese have lots of taboos that most American don't understand. Most taboos come from the homophonic of the products that make your presents sound really bad luck to the gift receivers. Also, some items specifically use in Chinese funeral are not suitable as presents for other occasions. Since this is the time that many people talks about their shopping tips for Christmas presents, I would like to provide some "Don't and Do" tips for those who are shopping presents for your native Chinese friends. 

Definitely Don't 

Clock: NEVER send your Chinese friends any type of clocks as presents, even if it's a very precious antique clock (however, you may ask your Chinese friend to purchase instead, if he/she is an antique collector.). Clock in Chinese pronounces [zhong 鐘]. Giving a clock『送鐘』[song zhong] is homophonic to『送終』means "Bury a parent". Giving a clock to a native Chinese for holiday will make you look like you are trying to hex your receiver. 

(A few years ago I happened to receive some FAX ads from an ad firm in Florida. This company helps one of their clients selling "Grandpa Antique Clocks". The ad agency sent a whole catalog (more than ten pages) through out FAX. Not only waking all my family members up six o'clock in the morning (I guess the company must not know the FAX receiver also uses the line as a home phone, in California.), but also jamming my machine and ran out the entire role of FAX paper. My husband and I ended up spending a whole morning making phone calls to find their sales representative and left a lot of "F***" on their voice mail.)

Books: Books in Chinese pronounces as [shu書] which exactly sounds like "lose"(輸). For most Chinese who like to gamble, invest stocks, occasionally buy lottery tickets or play Ma-Jian/Poker as a hobby will definitely hate to receive a book (also includes dictionary and encyclopedia) for the holiday. Remember, many Chinese in America like to go to casino during Christmas holidays.

If you really have to send a book (perhaps the book that was written by yourself) to your native Chinese friend there is actually a way to break the curse -- ask your friend give you 50 cents or a dollar when he/she received the present. That way you make your Chinese friend just "buying a book", not receiving "lose".

Umbrella and fans: "Umbrella" (傘[san]) and "fans" (扇[shan]) in Chinese both pronouncations really similar to the Chinese word "separation" (散[san]). Neither real umbrella nor decorative ornimate are appropriate presents for native Chinese, unless you wish to break up with the person who is receiving the gift.

Hangerchief: Chinese generally give hangerchief to people who attend funeral. Therefore, it is not appropriate use hangerchief as a holiday present, even if this hangerchief is an expensive designer brand.

Preferably Don't

Hand/Beth Towels: It is pretty normal seeing most American send quality towel set as a present. Many elder Chinese from Taiwan however are not going to appreciate such a present. The reason is that hand/beth towels relate to hangerchief.

Scissors and knifes: Unless your Chinese friend doesn't really care and specially requested (such as a Swiss Knife or a specific style of antique letter opener), just avoid sending scissor or knife because they not only look like murder weapons but also reminds the gift receiver to "cut off" or "chop down" something (such as relationship or friendship). 

Some flowers: Some flowers we Chinese specifically use for funeral are not suitable for holiday presents. Such as Chrysanthemum and Lily. If you want to give roses or carnations please do avoid white color. White in many western cultures represent "pure" but for Chinese often means "pool", "ill" or "death". A mix flower boutique with less white color will be just fine.

Definitely Do:

Do avoid using white or black ribbons and rapping paper for packaging. 

Also, many elder Chinese do prefer receiving the gift set comes with "even" number of pieces. Unlike many western cultures in favor of odd numbers, Chinese like even number because we Chinese like things come in a pair, something "double" rather than "single". The only even number that you want to avoid is "four". "Four" in Mandarin and in many other Chinese dialects (such as Cantonese and Taiwanese) sound like "dead".

Number "six" and "eight" are two favorable numbers for Chinese. "Six" sounds like "smooth"; "eight" sounds like "getting rich". It is mostly safe sending a gift relates to these two numbers.

If you have choices, do select your gift item in red color. Chinese love red color, red represent luck and joy.

Preferable Do

Money: Always safe giving CASH to Chinese as a holiday gift. American said "Good thing always comes from a small package" also works for Chinese. The amount of money better be even number. And you only have to make a small red envelop for packaging. Even a red envelop contains "two dollars" (If your budget allow, "six dollars" or even "eight dollars" will be much better) work very well to your native Chinese friend who just have a new born baby or so many kids or grandchildren in family.

Happy holiday shopping!