Wedding Gift

[Long Zhiren]

I'm heading to a wedding in Taiwan. What's a good wedding gift?

Are there trends for wedding gifts in different parts of China?

Thanks.

[owshawng]

Not sure what's good, but I know these are bad

green hat, knife and cutting instruments, fans, and clocks

[floatingmoon]

May be something that is hard to find in Taiwan or

something that is "Sunnyvale, CA" local special products 當地特產.

Or may be table wear set Or wine, Or a pair of metal cups engrave their name?

I know many younger Asian new couples like "Precious Moments" wedding gifts.

Well, and don't worry too much about wrong gifts. I mean, they are rather young and you are rather young, there is not much taboo禁忌, it's 2008 now.

[imron]

What's a good wedding gift?

Money in a red envelope.

[skylee]

One of our members has actually given this gift to his cousin -> VISA gift card question

Not sure if the same is available in Taiwan though. Money in a red envelope is always a very good idea.

[Xiying]

Money in a red envelope in the range of NT$2-5 thousand (the value should not have number 4 in it). Ask a local on what exactly to write on the front (there's a proper format). Unlike in America, people there do not give houshold objects as wedding presents. The amount of money given usually exceeds to cost of the meal so they end up making some money by holding the ceremony.

[muyongshi]

Unlike in America, people there do not give houshold objects as wedding presents.

It used to be that they did but just like in the states they found everyone giving them the same gifts. So rather, while we started gift registry's the gave money. Personally I like the money!

[Xiying]

Common practice (as I've experienced it) is to have table set out at the entrance to collect the red envelopes. Upon arriving, you are supposed to present your envelope to the table. The attendants (actually, trusted family friends) seated there will record your name on one of two registers (groom or bride, depending on who you addressed your envelope to), remove the money, and record the amount next to your name on the register so they know who gave how much.

[Lu]

Have been to two weddings here, and brought a red envelope to both. Situation on entering the wedding venue was as Xiying describes, I don't think the couple would expect anything else than a hongbao. (I'm assuming the couple getting married at the wedding you're going to are Taiwanese.) I was advised to bring an amount with either a 2 or a 6 in it (NT$1200, 1600, etc), and definitely not a 4. Exact amount depends on how close you are to the couple (and on how much money you have, I assume).

[cdn_in_bj]

On the mainland, giving hongbiao is also the way to go. But instead of collecting it at the entrance, you usually give it to the couple as they make their rounds to all the tables. The best man and bridesmaid will help to collect the hongbiaos.