Since good things are believed to come in pairs, gifts given in pairs (except four) are best. When preparing the gift, do not wrap it in white as that color represents sorrow and poverty.

Certain gifts are also seen as inauspicious. For example, never give a clock, watch, or pocket watch as a gift because "to send a clock" (送鐘, sòng zhōng) sounds like "the funeral ritual" (送終, sòng zhōng). According to Chinese Taboo, clocks symbolize that time is running out, meaning the end of a relationship or of life is indicated. There are many other such ominous Chinese gifts to avoid.

If you give an unlucky gift on accident, the receiver can make it right by giving you a coin which changes the gift to an item they symbolically purchased.