Etiquette regarding Chinese birthday invitation

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Hi,

We got invited by my hubby’s Chinese co-worker to celebrate the birthday of his daughter. What should we bring apart from the birthday present, or what we shouldn’t bring? We don’t know their religion but I’m gonna assume they are Muslim and avoid any insulting food and stuff. And we will be prepared in case we need to leave our shoes at the entrance. Ideas?
 
E_7 said:
Hi,

We got invited by my hubby’s Chinese co-worker to celebrate the birthday of his daughter. What should we bring apart from the birthday present, or what we shouldn’t bring? We don’t know their religion but I’m gonna assume they are Muslim and avoid any insulting food and stuff. Ideas?
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I’m going to guess it’s a typical kid’s birthday party. Bring a present. If your husband is good friends with the father, he could ask if there’s anything the parents need help with, but other than that, I’m not sure what social faux pas you are concerned about committing.

Religion is probably not going to matter at all. :confused:
 
Why do you think they’re Muslim? Most Han Chinese aren’t Muslim.
 
heidi_storage said:
Why do you think they’re Muslim? Most Han Chinese aren’t Muslim.
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I was thinking that too, but I was also thinking that Muslims are probably the most strict about dietary laws, so it could be kind of an all-encompassing rule for a food contribution, for example. But yeah, I really, really doubt it matters at all, and it’s not typical for people to bring food to a child’s birthday party unless it’s family only or the hosts specifically mention it being potluck.
 
I meant to say that I would assume whatever religion is the more strict in terms of what they don’t eat just in case and avoid bringing something that they will end up throwing away. I meant to bring something that is accepted in general by all kinds of culture. But it doesn’t matter anymore since I’ve been clarified that there is no need to bring food to a birthday party. Don’t start nailing me on a cross.

As for the gift, how would you feel a 2 year old girl receiving Piggy Nail Polish as a gift?
 
E_7 said:
I meant to say that I would assume whatever religion is the more strict in terms of what they don’t eat just in case and avoid bringing something that they will end up throwing away. I meant to bring something that is accepted in general by all kinds of culture. But it doesn’t matter anymore since I’ve been clarified that there is no need to bring food to a birthday party. Don’t start nailing me on a cross.

As for the gift, how would you feel a 2 year old girl receiving Piggy Nail Polish as a gift?
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Well, when my girls were small, I would NOT have appreciated them having nail polish at that age. I know that supposedly it’s all safe, but kids bite their nails and chew their fingers, and then you have all this peeling stuff. Yuck.

I like Melissa and Doug stuff. Usually very well made and long-lasting.
 
E_7 said:
I meant to say that I would assume whatever religion is the more strict in terms of what they don’t eat just in case and avoid bringing something that they will end up throwing away. I meant to bring something that is accepted in general by all kinds of culture. But it doesn’t matter anymore since I’ve been clarified that there is no need to bring food to a birthday party. Don’t start nailing me on a cross.

As for the gift, how would you feel a 2 year old girl receiving Piggy Nail Polish as a gift?
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I wasn’t trying to be mean. Sorry if you took it that way. :console:

I wouldn’t get any cosmetics. Some parents are okay with them for play, others are strict about waiting until they are a certain age.

How about hair accessories? Or dress up jewelry?
 
E_7 said:
I meant to say that I would assume whatever religion is the more strict in terms of what they don’t eat just in case and avoid bringing something that they will end up throwing away. I meant to bring something that is accepted in general by all kinds of culture. But it doesn’t matter anymore since I’ve been clarified that there is no need to bring food to a birthday party. Don’t start nailing me on a cross.

As for the gift, how would you feel a 2 year old girl receiving Piggy Nail Polish as a gift?
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t like nail polish as a gift for a baby.

At that age I would have liked a gift card for my kids.
 
Nail polish is dicey. Books are nice, with a gift receipt in case it’s a duplicate. Duplo blocks are great, because it doesn’t matter if they’re a duplicate! Nothing too large, or too messy, or too noisy. I like the hair accessories idea, as long as you know that the child doesn’t have super-short hair (though even then, headbands are cute).
 
E_7 said:
As for the gift, how would you feel a 2 year old girl receiving Piggy Nail Polish as a gift?
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Please do not give nail polish as a gift. Nor cosmetics of any kind.

I suggest you look in the toy section or book section of a store and look for the age range (0-2 or “under 3” are common categories) or ask a mutual friend who knows the family what they suggest.

Stay away from clothing unless you know her size or enclose a gift receipt because the 24 month and 2T size might be too big or small depending on the individual child.
 
Bring a nice gift for a two year old. Relax. Have a good time.

Is there something I missed that makes this a problem?
 
Don’t start nailing me on a cross.
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As for the gift, how would you feel a 2 year old girl receiving Piggy Nail Polish as a gift?
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You made a statement. People ask a question. I don’t think anyone is nailing you to anything. And speaking of nails, I would be really upset if you gave my little girl nail polish. How inappropriate. :ouch:
 
I don’t know a whole lot, but I do know colors are important to many of Chinese heritage. Red and gold/yellow are considered to be very good colors, as is green. White is Not Good At All. So I wouldn’t give any article of clothing that was white, nor would I dress in white to go to the party.
 
Stuffed animals are pretty universal. 🙂

Since she is two just make sure it doesn’t have small parts.
 
Convert_in_99 said:
Stuffed animals are pretty universal. 🙂

Since she is two just make sure it doesn’t have small parts.
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Yes. I’d stay away from clothes. Plush animals are a good idea, or an educational age appropriate puzzle or learning tool. Even some books.
 
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