"Be Cautious! What Gifts Should You Avoid Giving to Your In-Laws to Prevent Bad Impressions?"

2019.08.18 published

Let's Hand Over Gifts According to Proper Manners＊

At the climax of a wedding reception, there is a scene where the bride and groom hand over gifts to their respective parents. While the act of giving presents is a wonderful gesture, did you know that there are gifts that could be considered inappropriate when given to someone senior to you?

If you were unaware of this and accidentally presented a taboo gift to someone senior... you might laugh it off with your own parents, but it could come off as rude to his parents or others around. Of course, they will understand that it wasn’t intended maliciously, but if the impression from your in-laws or boss turns negative, it could be troublesome!

Here are some examples of gifts to avoid that you should definitely be aware of when giving to someone senior in your life.

Gifts to Avoid for Seniors ① Slippers

Slippers are considered taboo because they carry the meaning of "stepping on someone." Therefore, it's inappropriate as a gift for someone senior. For the same reason, items related to feet, such as shoes or socks, may also be seen as disrespectful＊

Gifts to Avoid for Seniors ② Fountain Pens and Ballpoint Pens

Fountain pens and ballpoint pens, which are often chosen, are actually not suitable gifts for someone senior either. The reason is that they imply "please study harder," which is not an appropriate connotation＊

Gifts to Avoid for Seniors ③ Knives

Knives are generally considered a no-go gift for weddings, not limited to just seniors. They symbolize "cutting ties," so it’s best to avoid them unless absolutely necessary◎

Gifts to Avoid for Seniors ④ Socks and Underwear

Items such as socks or underwear, or anything associated with "below," are taboo as gifts for seniors＊ Some may interpret these as implying "looking down on the recipient," which could create an awkward situation!

Gifts to Avoid for Seniors ⑤ Handkerchiefs

Finally, we have the classic gift item, handkerchiefs. While they are popular for casual gifting, handkerchiefs are associated with the kanji “手巾 (tegire)” which can evoke the meaning of “cutting ties.” It may be safer to choose something else as a gift for a wedding.

When Giving Gifts to Seniors, Focus on Manners and Common Sense＊

In today's world, some might think that people care less about the negative meanings hidden behind gifts!

However, gifts are meant to bring joy to the recipient rather than reflect your own feelings＊ When giving gifts related to weddings for someone senior, follow the generally accepted manners and common sense in gift selection!

By the way, here are some recommended items for gifts to your parents♡

➡ "Thank you for raising me." A summary of classic items to gift to your important parents for commemorations＊