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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Attending a Chinese wedding, what gift should I bring with me?
Should I give cash as wedding present, or some thing else? What and how much will be appropriate to give as wedding present to my colleagues / friends in their weddings in China?
I have been to a few weddings and the tradition is that you will be handed a red envelope in which to put some money. Gifts are not given only money from what I have seen. I would think that 500rmb is Ok but it probably depends on how well you know them and what you earn.
cash in a red envelope. the closer you are to the bride or groom the more money they expect. remember they all know how much you make and they all will know and discuss how much you gave. which is why i avoid weddings.
coffaholic:
The remark that they talk about how much you gave is very true! I didn't realise this until I went to my first two Chinese weddings this year. They keep a very close eye on who gives how much, so themore generous you are, the higher they'll regard you.
Seriously! 500RMB in a red envelope? That's a bit over the top isn't it. I was thinking about 150RMB. Hey we are only poor foreign English teachers. 500RMB is equivalent to what I might spend on a wedding present back home when my salary was $100K. Some Chinese friends told me 150 is ok.
Some answers to the original question from those who have actually been to a mate's wedding would be appreciated. I have 2 to go to in October. Ta.
coffaholic:
150 RMB would be way too stingy! 250 or 500 RMB is the norm nowadays. 150 would be a total insult. As a rule of thumb, if the person who's getting married isn't an inlaw or close friend 250 will suffice. If it is an in-law, close friend or important guanxi then 500 is the minimum. My boyfriend gave his cousins and best friend 5000 RMB each when they got married and he's not a rich guy.
DaqingDevil:
Ok thanks. I'll keep that in mind. I won't give them 444RMB - seems I will get murdered for that!
Someone told me has to be a even number 200, 400, 600, etc. so the min should be 200rmb
I heard you can buy white wine. You have to buy them in pairs and it must be a certain type. Not cheap.
Cash in a red enveloppe. Then, as for the amount of cash, if they are excellent friends, cash can over 1000 yuan, if it's somebody you don't really know and that they just invite you to have a white face at their wedding (which turns to be very popular nowadays), then give no more than 300 yuan.
You can also put for instance : 333 yuan, or 555 yuan. Don't put 444, otherwise, they might kill you (as 4 it's the number of death).