Culture and Society: Gift Giving

Mother’s Day is an especially important gift-giving occasion in Mexico.

Flowers are always an appropriate gift when invited to a home for dinner.

The Quinceañera, a Mexican girl's coming-of-age celebration, is a lavish event in which no expense is spared by family and friends.

General

In Mexico's highly social and family-oriented society, gift giving is an integral part of day to day interaction. Although not expected or required, gifts are commonly given among family members and friends for a wide variety of special occasions and even for no occasion at all. Most of these gifts are small tokens of appreciation meant to show that the recipient was in the giver's mind and heart rather than to display wealth or generosity. Gifts are not always wrapped, but are usually hidden until the appropriate time for giving.

Hospitality Gifts

It is part of the cultural etiquette of Mexico to bring a gift when invited to a home for dinner or other occasion. Flowers are always appropriate, and are commonly sent ahead of time so that the host has time to arrange them on the table. Guests typically bring small gifts for children in the household. Toys, games, comics, or other items from a visitor's home country are highly appreciated. Likewise, gifts for adults from foreign countries, including national liquors like whiskey and wine, souvenirs that depict the visitor’s city or countryside, and other cultural items are highly valued.

Personal Gifts

Personal gifts are given and exchanged in Mexico on a wide range of special occasions including birthdays, weddings, graduations, and welcome-home parties. Mother’s Day is an especially important gift-giving occasion in Mexico. People present their mothers with flowers and gifts, and even stores and supermarkets give small gifts to all the mothers who pass through their retail sites. Although Christmas is celebrated with enthusiasm throughout the predominantly Catholic country, most gift giving is done on January 6th, the Dia de Los Reyes (Day of the Three Wise Men). This day celebrates the three wise men or kings who came bearing gifts like gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the baby Jesus.

In Mexico, where long engagements are common, a prospective bridegroom sometimes gives his girlfriend a ring of commitment a year before giving her an engagement ring. The traditional wedding gift from groom to bride is thirteen gold coins, which he presents to her one at a time, symbolizing his promise to support her and their children. It’s also customary for the wedding couple to receive a Christian Bible, often embossed with their names and the date of their marriage. Traditional gifts from wedding guests also include wine glasses for the wedding toasts, a wedding rosary, a prayer book, and embroidered pillows for the couple to kneel on during the ceremony. Wedding favors for guests include wedding cookies, Spanish fans, or small pottery items. Money is traditionally given to the bride and groom after the wedding ceremony by pinning it to their clothing or slipping it into their pockets during their first waltz.

The Quinceañera (female coming-out celebration), happens on the 15th birthday of Mexican girls and is a lavish event in which no expense is spared by family and friends. It is quite common for girls to receive gifts like international vacations or new cars on this day. Mexicans celebrate birthdays with gusto and it is common for even relatively poor families to hold huge celebrations that feature live musicians, a culinary feast, and revelry that lasts late into the night.

Business Gifts

Gifts are a common and welcome, yet non-obligatory, part of doing business in Mexico, but care should be taken in terms of appropriateness. While high quality business items like pens, stationery, planners, and other professional and office supplies are appropriate items, gifts that are too luxurious or personal may be taken as displays of wealth, or even bribes. When a member of an office team, like a secretary, helps with travel plans or provides assistance, it is customary to thank them with a small gift. A man giving a gift to a female secretary often says that the gift is from his wife to avoid unintended connotations.

Items featuring a corporate logo are generally well-received in Mexico. Candies, a souvenir or local crafts from a foreign country, or an illustrated book about the visitor’s city of origin also serve as appropriate gifts. Business gifts are presented at the end of completed deals or formal meetings, and are opened at once. An unreserved and friendly people, even in corporate situations, Mexicans often react strongly to favorable gifts with enthusiasm and thanks.

Taboos

Asking a host what gifts he or his family may like is seen as too direct, as well as discourteous, and may cause someone to decline all gifts out of modesty. Guests are expected to bring gifts to Mexican birthdays and not doing so may be seen as purposeful disregard.

Souvenirs meant for tourists, such as items bought in airport gift shops or stalls near tourist attractions are looked down upon by Mexicans as too impersonal for gifts. Gifts made of silver are considered cheap, as they are associated with trinkets sold to tourists.

Yellow and red flowers are associated with funerals and death, and are seldom used for festive occasions. White flowers indicate cleanliness and high spirits, making white the color of choice for gift flowers.