It's that time of year for giving gifts. Here are gift-giving traditions from 10 countries around the world.

1. Gift-Giving
Around the
World
N B I n t e r c u l t u r a l

2. 21st & 40th birthday parties are
lavish, so expect to give a costly gift.
Friends may join in together to make
purchases
A key made of silver or gold is given to
the birthday person by their parents
as a symbol of readiness to unlock the
future
If visiting a home, flowers, chocolates,
or wine make good gifts for your hosts
South Africa

3. If attending a quinceañera (15th
birthday party), give gifts such as
jewelry, beauty items, gift cards, & cash.
Quinceañeras are formal, and Catholic
mass is generally held beforehand
When visiting a home, it's a nice gesture
to bring wine or sweets. Avoid
marigolds as they are associated with
death & used during Dia de Muertos
People may hire mariachi bands for
birthdays; it makes for a fun gift
Mexico

4. At weddings, the bride & groom are
given items made of gold. Gold coins
may be pinned to the wedding dress; the
closer your relationships, the larger the
coin you should give
When visiting a home, common gifts
include pastries, flowers, & glassware
If visiting a home where children are
present, it's customary to give toys or
sweets
Turkey

5. It is common to exchange small gifts at
initial business meetings; something
typical from your home country would
suffice
Gifts should be presented & received
with both hands; gift-giving helps keep
good 'kibun' (a good state of mind)
During Seollal (Korean New Year),
people gift fruits, ginseng, honey, gift
baskets, & cash
South Korea

6. Most frequently given gifts are food,
such as pastries, chocolates, &
cookies
Alcohol, pork, gold, & silk should not
be given as gifts
Gifts are seen as rather personal &
are typically exchanged only among
good friends
Saudi Arabia

7. It's the responsibility of the birthday
person to organize their own meal &
buy birthday drinks for their guests
St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag) is
celebrated on December 6. The night
before, children set out their shoes to
be filled with candy & gifts
It is customary for gifts to be opened
when they are received
Germany

8. During Hogmanay (New Year's Eve),
first-footing is customary--this is when
the first person to enter a home has to
bring special gifts - generally whiskey,
shortbread, or black bun cake
Clocks are traditionally given as a gift
by the best man to the bride & groom
on their wedding day
Giving a box of chocolates or flowers is
typical when visiting someone's home
Scotland

9. It is customary to bring back
souvenirs (omiyage) from a trip for
your friends & colleagues
How a gift is wrapped is almost as
important as the gift itself; bows,
ribbons, & cloth are often used
People typically wait to open gifts in
private to save any embarrassment if
the gift is not to their liking
Japan

10. Give cash in amounts that end in the
number one; it signifies a new
beginning
Use bright colors for gift-wrapping;
green, yellow, & red are considered
lucky
Do not give gifts with the left hand, as
it is considered unclean
India

11. It is common for adults to give red
envelopes filled with money to
children during the New Year
The number eight is considered very
lucky, so if gifting money, keep that in
mind
Give gifts of oranges, mandarins, &
tangerines, as they are associated
with luck, wealth, & prosperity
China

12. Contact me
to learn
more.
N B I n t e r c u l t u r a l
futureofglobalwork.com