The Rules for Gift Giving You should be careful in giving gifts. Never give a gift during a job interview or before a business meeting. Gifts are usually given during special holidays, or on occasions to show thanks for special invitations. When you arrive at a party, you may present your gift to the host once the introductions are made. With gift giving, a few rules are in order: Be modest with your gift; do not buy expensive gifts. Gifts which do not last long, such as a special food from your country, a bottle of wine, candy and flowers, are best if you do not know the host very well. Be careful in giving alcoholic drinks as a gift. A bottle of wine is usually all right if you know your host drinks wine, but hard liquor can be given as a gift only when you know the host well and are certain that he would welcome such a gift. Flowers are good, but remember: roses are for personal relationships, so don’t give roses to the wrong people. Cut flowers are nice if they are in a vase. A small cultural gift from your country is usually very good. Paper-cuts and dyed paintings are among the good choices for Chinese to present to foreign people. Finally, make certain your gift is wrapped nicely, with a nice card on it.