Skip clocks and watches entirely as gifts, no matter how nice; the pun outweighs the thought. Sharp objects (knives, scissors) and handkerchiefs carry similar bad-luck associations and are worth avoiding too.
Wrap what you do give in red or gold paper. Present it with both hands, and don’t be surprised if the recipient sets it aside without opening it in front of you, that’s normal, not a snub.
- Avoid quantities of four — sì (四, “four”) sounds like sǐ (死, “death”); don’t give four of anything, or a set/amount with a 4 in it.
- Skip pears as a fruit gift — lí (梨, “pear”) sounds like lí (离, “to leave” or “separate”).
- Don’t give umbrellas — sǎn (伞, “umbrella”) sounds like sàn (散, “to break up” or scatter), an unlucky pun for a relationship.