How do I properly accept a gift in China during a holiday celebration?

Here’s a guide on how to be a polite gift receiver during Chinese holidays:

🤝 Be a smooth operator and politely decline a gift 1-3 times before accepting. That’s the vibe of the Chinese culture.

🙏 When you do accept, use both hands to show some respect and gratitude.

😊 Say some nice words of appreciation like “Thank you” or “How thoughtful of you!”

😉 Don’t unwrap the gift in front of the giver, that’s a no-go.

🎁 Remember to reciprocate the gift giving at some point. It’s all about the give and take, ya know?

🤯 Avoid giving or receiving gifts in pairs of 4, because the word for 4 is a homophone for “death”. Go for pairs of 2 or 8 instead, those are lucky numbers.

🧡 Red and pink are lucky colors, white is a no-no (it’s for funerals).

🙅 Avoid gifts like shoes, pears, or umbrellas—they have negative vibes.

🤗 Overall, just be sincere and respectful, and mind the cultural taboos. If unsure, watch what others do or ask for advice.

🎀 Have a fantastic Chinese holiday and happy gift giving!