By Editorial Team
The Chinese culture is built on many superstitions so here is a list of items of what not to give for Chinese New Year.
Celebrating Chinese New Year with Chinese friends is a brilliant idea—fireworks, food, and festivities! That said, the cultural gap can be as wide as the Great Wall. Here’s your cheeky guide to 7 gifts to avoid, along with the superstitions that make them a total no-no.
Hats, particularly green ones, are a gifting minefield. A green hat implies infidelity, and any hat can remind folks of mourning traditions. Fancy being the bearer of grief? Didn’t think so.
Black and white are fine for minimalist decor, but in Chinese culture, they scream “funeral.” Choose to go with red—lucky, festive, and the colour of ang pau packets.
Flowers are lovely—except when they’re cut. White or yellow chrysanthemums? Those are reserved for funerals. Best not to deliver an unwelcome floral faux pas.
Mirrors are rumoured to attract ghosts, and breaking one is bad luck across cultures. Play it safe: let people admire themselves in their own mirror.
Shoes are seen as unlucky because they’re “stepped on” and the word sounds like “evil.” Gifting shoes says, “Here, have some bad luck.” Charming.
The number four sounds like “death” in Chinese. Avoid anything in sets of four or with the dreaded digit. Even hotel elevators skip the fourth floor—take the hint.
A clock or watch is the ultimate no-no. In Chinese, gifting a clock sounds like attending a funeral. Plus, it symbolises time running out—a cheerful thought for anyone, especially the elderly.
So, there you have it—seven things to absolutely not give this Chinese New Year. Stick to safe bets like oranges, tea, or red envelopes stuffed with cash. Your friends will thank you, and you’ll avoid being the person who brought flowers to the party. Happy Chinese New Year, and may your gifting game be strong!
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