中國送禮潛規則: 過節送禮的9個藝術

New year is coming up soon, and some of you may still be working on your gift list. Presents can be a big headache during the holidays, because it takes a lot of time and effort to think of the right gift for someone. Before you finish your list, keep these dos and don'ts in mind:

新年要到了，一些人可能仍然在挑禮物。送禮是過節時很頭疼的問題，因爲給別人買合適的禮物要花大量時間和精力。在你搞定禮物前，要記住這些注意事項：

1. Do set a budget.

要設定預算。

Holiday isn't a time to spend Money on presents you can't afford. Sure, it's a time to be generous, but remember to be kind to yourself first and don't empty out your wallet. Start making a list of people you're giving gifts to and set a cap on how much you're going to spend on them.
節日不是你買負擔不起的禮物的時候。當然，你可以表現得慷慨大方，但要記得先善待自己，不要掏空你的錢包。開始列個送禮名單，並給消費額度設定上限。

2. Do consider giving homemade gifts.
考慮送自制禮物。

Personally, I tend to appreciate the gift more when it's homemade because it shows a lot of thought and effort on the gift-giver's part.
就我個人而言，當禮物是自己做的時候會更喜歡，因爲它表達了送禮人大量的用心和付出。

3. Do be smart about regifting.
轉送時要聰明些。

If you're planning on regifting, remember to avoid major no-nos, such as giving a used item and giving the gift to a friend of a friend. Regifting a bottle of wine is always your safest bet, but do remember to do it with a personal touch like a small card.
如果你想把收到的禮物再送給別人，記得避免重要的失誤，比如送用過的東西和轉送給朋友的朋友。轉送一瓶酒總是你最保險的選擇，但記得要有個人風格，比如加個小卡片。

4. Do get a gift receipt.
要拿禮物的收據。

If you're purchasing something for your friend, make sure you ask the salesperson to include a gift receipt. It's just a polite gesture, and you know your money won't go to waste because if your friend doesn't like the gift, she can just exchange it.
如果你在給朋友買東西，要跟銷售人員確認給了收據。這只是爲了表示禮貌，而且你知道你的錢不會白費，因爲如果你的朋友不喜歡這份禮物，她可以來店裏換。

5. Do put thought into your gift.
選禮物要花心思。

If you like something, that doesn't mean that your recipient is going to like it, too. Take some time to really think about what she likes. Don't get her a generic gift, and reflect back on your previous conversations to see if she talked about a certain item she's been wanting to get.
你喜歡的東西不意味着收禮人也喜歡。花點時間認真考慮她喜歡什麼。不要送她普通的禮物，回想你們以前的對話看看她是否有一直想要的東西。

6. Don't leave the price tag on.
不要留着價格標籤。

Make sure you don't leave the price tag on the item and that you're giving a gift receipt and not the original bill. It's not kosher to let your friend know how much you spent on the item, and it's not important for her to know anyway.
確保你沒留着價格標籤，而且你給的是禮物收據而不是原始票據。讓你的朋友知道你在禮物上花了多少錢並不合適，而且對她來說知不知道也不重要。

7. Don't buy inappropriate gifts.
別買不合適的禮物。

Make sure the gift you're buying is appropriate for each person. For example, if you're buying acquaintances presents, remember not to overspend or personalize it too much. Take a moment to think about how your relationship is with the person before getting them something.
確保你給每個人買的禮物是適合的。舉例來說，如果你給熟人買禮物，記得不要超支或太個性化了。在給他們買東西前先花點時間想想你們的關係如何。

8. Don't be afraid of giving cash.
不要害怕給現金。

Don't avoid giving cash because you think it's gauche. Money is a very practical gift that people need more than presents, so don't shy away from it!
別因爲你覺得給現金很粗魯就不送了。錢是很實用的禮物，和禮物相比人們更需要錢，所以不要回避它。

9. Don't feel obligated.
不要強迫自己。

Don't try to give a gift that financially matches the gift they're giving you if you can't afford it. Instead, take some time to get them a homemade or thoughtful gift. In fact, don't even feel beholden to give gifts if you can't afford it this season. Let people know that you won't be doing gift exchanges this year, and they'll understand.
如果你買不起，不要試圖給一份在價錢上相匹配的回禮。相反，花點時間給他們自制的或用心的禮物。事實上，如果今年你負擔不起的話，甚至不要認爲送禮是必須的。讓別人知道你今年不參加禮物交換，他們會明白的。