Today is Christmas Day. You may want to give gifts to your Chinese friends to share your happiness with them. However, do you know what kind of gifts are appropriate for Chinese people and what gifts are not appropriate? Let’s learn about this in today’s lesson and then you can pick up the right Christmas gift for your Chinese friends.
The following are gifts you should never buy for a Chinese.
钟 (Zhōng) Clock 
According to Chinese custom, it is taboo to give someone a clock as a gift. The Chinese word for clock is "钟(zhōng)" which sounds exactly like the Chinese word "终(zhōng)." Thus, giving someone a clock means "送钟(sòngzhōng) give a clock," which shares the same pronunciation with the word "送终(sòngzhōng)"- a funeral ritual in China. Due to the similarity of these words and the connotation of death that is implied, a Chinese person would never give another Chinese person a clock as a gift.
绿帽子 (Lǜ màozi) Green hat
Another thing that you should be aware of is not to give anyone, especially a man, a green hat as a gift. If we say a man "戴绿帽(dài lǜmào) wears a green hat," then it implies that his wife is unfaithful. So a green hat on a man indicates that he is a cuckold.
鞋 (Xié) Shoes
First, the Chinese word for "鞋 (xié) shoes" sounds like "邪 (xié) evil," which naturally prompts negative thoughts and feelings in people. Secondly, shoes are something trampled underfoot. Thirdly, if the shoes are small, it would remind people of the traditional Chinese phrase "穿小鞋 (chuān xiǎoxié) wearing small shoes," meaning "to create difficulties for others." So "鞋 (xié) shoes" should be avoided as gifts in China.
Wine, cigarettes, peaches, and tea are popular and appropriate gifts for Chinese people. You can choose one of these to give to your friends in China.
Christmas in China:
Christmas Greetings in Chinese
狂欢的日子来了 (Kuánghuān de rìzi lái le) Christmas Party
