However, not everything is as scary as it seems at first glance. A huge number of gifts and gift sets for us have been prepared by the world's leading manufacturers of perfumes and cosmetics, clothes and shoes, accessories and consumer electronics, sweets and toys, home goods and books. Take a look at their offers, and boldly go with your list to the leading fashion galleries of the city - Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth Avenue, Boutiqie 1, Villa Moda, Paris Gallery, Areej, Debenhams chain stores, as well as branded boutiques of leading brands. Do not forget about gift certificates of Spa-centers, shops and even restaurants of the city. Believe me, it’s not difficult to find the right gift with our tips.
The main thing to remember is that a gift is a symbol of joy about the holiday that has come and at the same time a testament to our love, affection or respect for the person to whom we present the present. And do not forget about factors such as gender, age, tastes and preferences of the person you will bestow. Happy shopping and happy holidays!
New Year's gifts in different countries of the world
It so happened, but representatives of different nations have a different attitude to the same subjects, which necessarily makes itself felt as soon as we begin to choose a gift. For example, we Russians, because of the special generosity inherent in our national character, like to give and receive on holidays, including the New Year, a large number of good and different gifts instead of one, albeit very expensive. So, any Russian child will be incredibly happy to see a mountain of multi-colored boxes with toys, sweets, colored pencils under the tree, and will be upset if he receives only one package from the Santa Claus with an expensive game console.
But what gifts it is customary to give each other for the New Year in different countries of the world.
The Austrians prefer to give the necessary things in everyday life. Life in Austria is quite expensive, so most families coincide with the New Year's purchase of beautiful clothes or accessories. In addition to practical gifts, a popular New Year's present in this country is an invitation to a festive evening in the famous Vienna Opera. Similar signs of attention are appreciated by older Austrians and young people alike.
The British consider wide gestures in gifts unacceptable. They will never choose any expensive exclusive souvenir or jewelry as a New Year's gift. Their favorite presentations are inexpensive trinkets: key rings, beer mugs, scented candles, cute souvenir dolls and intricate spoons for making tea. All these little things are a sign of their wholeheartedness and affection for you and your home.
Americans, on the other hand, love expensive presents. They give each other cigars, wines, perfumes, scarves, sweaters, trinkets. True, in America it is customary to present gifts with a check. He is needed so that on occasion you can return the gift back to the store. Recently, the popularity of "gift certificates" among Americans has been growing. In America, this is an ordinary plastic card with a face value of 50 or more dollars. A person who has received such a certificate can buy anything he wants at any time convenient for him.
The Belgians approach the choice of a gift as a responsible event. The giver explains the meaning of the gift verbally or on a card attached to it, and the choice is never accidental. They always try to give what is really needed to the gifted, what is useful to him.
Bulgarians on New Year give each other cornel sticks, which personify all the best in the coming year. Having gathered for the New Year's celebration, local residents put out the lights for several minutes. These minutes are called minutes of New Year's kisses, the secret of which is kept dark.
Hungarians love to give each other books, warm socks, sledges. Children give their elders their crafts. Dutch children receive as a New Year's gift bags with pies and sweets, which, according to legend, the magi put in their shoes.
Eskimos of Greenland give each other for the New Year carved from ice figures of walruses and polar bears. Since it is cold in Greenland even in the summer, such ice gifts are stored for a very long time.
The Greeks consider it their duty to present a friend with nothing more than a stone, saying the following: "Let the owner’s money be as heavy as this stone." Not without, of course, without standard gifts, such as a basket with champagne and wine. Recently, as a New Year's gift, residents of Greece often give each other a new deck of cards.
For Danes, the main thing is the solemnity of the event, so they usually give something simple. At the same time, children will not find anything under the tree, in search of gifts they will have to climb around the whole house or apartment. Going on a visit, the Danes love to bring candles of different sizes and shapes. According to statistics, this people is the most active consumer of candles in the world.
The Irish have a great influence on the "gift" traditions of their religiosity and respect for the institution of the family. In this country, it is customary to give children little angels and wooden figures of Jesus and Mary. If adults go to visit each other, they most often carry with them some tasty dish of their own preparation, bachelors - a bottle or two of good wine.
For Italians, a gift is synonymous with sophistication and delicate taste. Any Italian will be delighted with a bottle of fine fine wine no less than, say, cashmere cashmere or a stylish tie. True, they do not forget to emphasize the uniqueness of their choice. Men and women give each other red underwear - a symbol of novelty.
For the New Year, the Chinese give paired items symbolizing unity, family harmony (two cups, paired candlesticks). An unacceptable gift for the Chinese is a watch, because timing in their minds is associated with death.
Mexicans easily solve problems with New Year's gifts by acquiring a popular "flower" in the country, which replaces the Christmas tree with many.
The Germans love to give books for the New Year holiday, it is no coincidence that this nation is considered one of the most read in the world. But the most pleasant surprise here is considered a trip, the direction and duration of which depends on the family budget.
Residents of the Netherlands like any gifts that contribute to a pleasant pastime, since leisure takes here quite an impressive part of both time and budget. They will be grateful if they are presented with music discs, art albums or miniature porcelain figurines.
When choosing New Year's gifts, the Poles try to show imagination and present something elegant to each other: women choose cheap jewelry, and men choose cufflinks, neckerchiefs, pens or purses.
The Portuguese attach particular importance to homemade gifts: lace tablecloths and napkins, hand-embroidered tapestries, wood utensils made of wood, carved candlesticks, caskets and photo frames. It is generally accepted that a piece of their own heat invested in this kind of gift protects it from damage, and those who use it protect it from dishonest people and ... aimless purchases.
The French are considered followers of the most original and impractical gifts. Most often, their choice stops at unusual souvenirs or postcards. Despite the fact that France is the birthplace of perfumery, giving a perfume to a married French woman is considered a bad manners. This is allowed only to her husband.
Swedes traditionally give each other home-made candles. This happened because in winter the countries of the Arctic Circle get dark early, and the light symbolizes friendship, hospitality, fun.
The Japanese give each other "oseibo" - traditional plain gift sets. What kind? Jars of canned goods, pieces of fragrant toilet soap. And of course, other things necessary in everyday life. According to historians, this tradition originated in the Middle Ages, when the samurai at the end of December necessarily exchanged offerings that strictly corresponded to their position in the feudal hierarchy. Japanese children to this day believe that their dream will come true if on New Year's Eve put under the pillow a drawing depicting a "dream". You can offend a Japanese if you give him flowers for the New Year. It is believed that only members of the imperial family are entitled to give flowers. From a mere mortal, the Japanese will not accept the flower.
