Gifts

What you give, how you wrap it, even the number of stems in a bouquet, can carry unintended meaning: a color tied to funerals in one country, a homophone for bad luck in another. These entries cover the gift-giving mistakes that are easy to make with the best intentions.

17 rules.

Gifts

Gifts rules

Skip purple wrapping and sharp objects when giving a gift

Never give a clock as a gift

Skip chrysanthemums and even numbers when gifting flowers

Give flowers in odd numbers, unwrapped

Avoid leather and white-wrapped gifts

Never give chrysanthemums, and count your flowers

Avoid gift sets of four or nine

Bring back omiyage after any trip

Wrapping matters as much as the gift

Avoid sets of four, knives, and clocks

Skip white flowers, red ink, and shoes as gifts

Don't open a gift in front of the giver

Skip marigolds as an everyday gift flower

Skip lilies and chrysanthemums, wrap it well

Give gifts with both hands, open later

Avoid black or white gift wrap

Skip knives, clocks, and handkerchiefs as gifts