There can be little doubt that the wrong wedding gift cannot only make you look bad, but potentially even ruin the mood. The job of giving a wedding gift is made even trickier by the fact that there is no one universal standard. A gift, which may be loved in one country or culture, may seem very inappropriate in another. In fact, what may seem like the simple act of giving a clock or an umbrella, for example, may be offensive for some. Place such cultural sensitivities at the top of your list when you are selecting wedding gifts for the lucky couple.

Etiquette for Wedding and Bridesmaid Gifts

1. In Malaysia it’s a bad idea to give a pre-engagement gift. As it turns out a pre-engagement gift is seen as something of a bribe. Oops.

2. Cows are sacred animals in India. Keep this in mind when you are handing out wedding gifts as well. A gift made out of leather or beef, probably isn’t such a great wedding gift under these circumstances.

3. If you don’t use your right hand when presenting a bridesmaid gift in the Middle East, it is considered an insult.

4. When shopping for a groomsmen gift for someone of the Muslim faith, you should avoid such items as pigskin footballs or alcoholic beverages.

5. In China, clocks are closely associated with the unpleasantness of death. Obviously, a different gift is in order.

6. What could possibly go wrong with giving a handkerchief as a gift? As it turns out, plenty. The handkerchief is deemed inappropriate in many parts of the world because it brings up the idea of crying.

7. In Japan you always want to bring an uneven number of wedding gifts. This way the gifts cannot be divided between the bride and groom.

8. In China and Latin America, if you give a knife as a wedding gift, you will likely receive a penny back in return. This may seem odd, but the logic behind this custom is that now the knife is not a gift, at least not technically. Knives are all about cutting, which has a negative connotation in these two cultures.

9. When the time comes to present your bridesmaid’s gifts in Japan or Hong Kong, be sure that you are using both hands. It is also best if you deliver your wedding or bridesmaid’s gifts in person if your friend or acquaintance is Japanese. Failure to do so would be deemed a social misstep.

Is it difficult to know what gift to give when you don’t know all the rules? Sure, but just take a little time and research the topic. If you have other friends from the same culture or country ask them for advice.

Make sure your wedding event is a smash hit. Frederick Smith gives advice all things wedding related such as wedding party gifts, wedding favors, bridal dress colors anything more then one man should know about weddings.