Gift Traditions and Legends

There are some fun traditions and legends associated with certain gifts. Here are a few:

-Always put something in a purse or wallet, lest it always be empty (I like gift cards in small amounts).

-Never actually give a knife as a gift: tape a penny to it for the recipient to give back to you. That way, the knife was bought, and won't "sever the friendship." Some people apply this to other sharp things like scissors.

-Be wary of the curse of the "boyfriend sweater." Some people are hesitant to start a time-consuming project, like knitting a sweater, for a new significant other. The fear is the relationship will break up before you finish the project.

-Shoes are sometimes said to be another bad idea. The recipient may "walk away" from the relationship.

-Many cultures view mirrors as bad luck, for various reasons from their fragility to the risk of seven years of bad luck if the mirror breaks.

-Gifts that are thought to strengthen relationships are sturdy items: wood, especially furniture, and diamonds, as in the classic diamond engagement ring. Silver, gold, and porcelain are said to foreshadow good fortune.

-Certain numbers are good or bad luck in different cultures. Thirteen is unlucky in the Western world, but four is bad luck in China and nine in Japan. But back in China, nine is a lucky number. In much of Asia, eight is lucky; in the West, it's seven. If you're giving several of an item, keep this in mind.

-A traditional house-warming gift is bread, salt, and wine. To quote It's a Wonderful Life: "Bread, that this house may never know hunger; salt, that life may always have flavor; wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever."

-The first gift a bride opens at a bridal shower should be the first one she uses, for good luck. Whoever gives the third gift will have a baby soon.

-For gift wrapping, certain colors have specific meanings in certain cultures. Purple is bad luck in Italy; yellow with black writing is used at funerals in some parts of Asia, and white, black, and blue are also mourning colors in most of Asia. Black and purple are mourning colors in South America.