Etiquette regarding Chinese birthday invitation

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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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This is a good suggestion. Stuffed animals and books are things you can’t really go wrong with. Nail polish is more of a middle school gift IMO.

And I wouldn’t worry about colors and traditions unless the family is actually from China. None of the Chinese Americans I grew up with worried about the stuff too much and they’re certainly not expecting you to know everything about their culture.
 
AClaire11 said:
This is a good suggestion. Stuffed animals and books are things you can’t really go wrong with. Nail polish is more of a middle school gift IMO.

And I wouldn’t worry about colors and traditions unless the family is actually from China. None of the Chinese Americans I grew up with worried about the stuff too much and they’re certainly not expecting you to know everything about their culture.
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They are actually from China. The man is working under a working visa.

Thanks for the ideas so far. No nail polish. I still have on my list some bilingual Chinese and English board books and a Chinese baby doll with the doll’s dining set.
 
E_7 said:
They are actually from China. The man is working under a working visa.

Thanks for the ideas so far. No nail polish. I still have on my list some bilingual Chinese and English board books and a Chinese baby doll with the doll’s dining set.
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That sounds really cute. 👍

Some toys are universal, too. It doesn’t have to be something specifically Chinese. For example, this block puzzle still gets a lot of play from my kids, even the five year old who also likes 100 piece puzzles.
 
E_7 said:
:eek: I want that puzzle for my son as well! 😃 thanks.
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It’s honestly one of my favorite “baby toys.” Six different puzzles, or just play with the blocks like blocks! Also helpful for learning colors, because each puzzle has a different colored border. When my son got big enough to actually do the puzzles, he would “help” me by turning the blocks to make sure we had all the right sides facing up. They’re fun. 🙂

Puzzles and blocks are always my go-to for children’s toys. They tend not to be very expensive, but offer a lot of playtime and are actually good for children’s growing minds.
 
E_7 said:
They are actually from China. The man is working under a working visa.

Thanks for the ideas so far. No nail polish. I still have on my list some bilingual Chinese and English board books and a Chinese baby doll with the doll’s dining set.
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Those sound great!
 
pianistclare said:
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:
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Actually different families and cultures allow cosmetics at different ages. We painted my neices nails at young ages. They loved it! A little make up for play or a special occasion. The bottles and stuff went out of reach afterwards. No big deal. 🤷

But E7 it is definitely a choice for parents to make for their own children. Every family is different. 🙂

That puzzle that pensmama recommended looks like a great choice for a two year old! 😃
 
Books are my go to gifts for the toddler/preschool years. Gender neutral, almost universally educational in some way, promote quality time with parent or caregiver…

Or play doh, it’s 2+ (although check any accessories, I just noticed the actual dough says 2+)
 
The piggy part sounds cute but maybe not so much the nail polish?
I received my first “play make up kit” at 4 years old and loved playing with it smearing it all over my cheeks lol but 2 seems a bit too young for me for that.

What about some cute little pig stuffed toys?
 
misspriss said:
Books are my go to gifts for the toddler/preschool years. Gender neutral, almost universally educational in some way, promote quality time with parent or caregiver…

Or play doh, it’s 2+ (although check any accessories, I just noticed the actual dough says 2+)
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Plus, with a lot of little kids, books are “consumables” IYKWIM.

I suspect that slightly bigger kids (3ish) get more out of play doh accessories, although play doh itself will be interesting from 2 on. (NO BLACK PLAY DOH!!!) When Baby Girl was 3.5, she played incessantly with her play doh accessories (cookie cutters, press, etc).
 
Convert_in_99 said:
Actually different families and cultures allow cosmetics at different ages. We painted my neices nails at young ages. They loved it! A little make up for play or a special occasion. The bottles and stuff went out of reach afterwards. No big deal. 🤷

But E7 it is definitely a choice for parents to make for their own children. Every family is different. 🙂

That puzzle that pensmama recommended looks like a great choice for a two year old! 😃
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I’m well aware of culture, but in this day and age where children are made to look way older, and objectified…I’d reconsider what I was teaching my child about these things. When my girls were little someone brought them gorgeous tiny high heels from Spain. They were beautiful and they looked soooo cute. But today, I would have to re-think that.
Just plain old toys are good for birthdays.
 
Elena321 said:
The piggy part sounds cute but maybe not so much the nail polish?
I received my first “play make up kit” at 4 years old and loved playing with it smearing it all over my cheeks lol but 2 seems a bit too young for me for that.

What about some cute little pig stuffed toys?
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Piggy paint is a brand of “super safe” kids nail polish, not necessarily a pig product, if I am correct.
 
Yes, if you are bringing a gift to any party, usually you don’t bring food too.

I would get a typical 2 year old gift. Little ones like push toys…that popcorn push toy thing, or a shopping cart with pretend food , a toy vacumme…or-- a toddler sized theme matching dish set with cup, plate, bowl and untensils and placemat. This set will last until kindergarten.

I love shopping for toys, so fun…enjoy!
 
I live in Singapore (a lot of chinese people here)

I don’t know how traditional this family is, but let me help out a bit.

No clocks, shoes, handkerchiefs…receive things with both hands (don’t use left hand), try what they offer you, some don’t like if you take the last piece of anything. Wait till they offer you. If you are eating with chopsticks, don’t stick it in your food so they stand up, don’t wear black or white, don’t give green hats, or things that are a set of 4…there are more but this is what I can think of immediately

A kid’s toy (soft toy, whatever the posters recommend) should be fine as long as it’s not what I mentioned. Of course, not all Chinese people are that traditional, and some get offended when you try so hard to behave differently…it’s as if you are saying that they are veeery different from you, some will be flattered etc. Best tip is to be as friendly as possible, let the host tell you to sit down…stuff like that 🙂
 
Lea101 said:
I live in Singapore (a lot of chinese people here)

I don’t know how traditional this family is, but let me help out a bit.

No clocks, shoes, handkerchiefs…receive things with both hands (don’t use left hand), try what they offer you, some don’t like if you take the last piece of anything. Wait till they offer you. If you are eating with chopsticks, don’t stick it in your food so they stand up, don’t wear black or white, don’t give green hats, or things that are a set of 4…there are more but this is what I can think of immediately

A kid’s toy (soft toy, whatever the posters recommend) should be fine as long as it’s not what I mentioned. Of course, not all Chinese people are that traditional, and some get offended when you try so hard to behave differently…it’s as if you are saying that they are veeery different from you, some will be flattered etc. Best tip is to be as friendly as possible, let the host tell you to sit down…stuff like that 🙂
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Let’s not overwhelm! :o

Just basic etiquette as with any other American family should be fine. 🙂
 
Convert_in_99 said:
Let’s not overwhelm! :o

Just basic etiquette as with any other American family should be fine. 🙂
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Right. The family is in the US and inviting Americans. Just be gracious and respectful. The hosts will let you know about “house rules,” if any.
 
Any age appropriate gift would do.

Maybe a Hello Kitty plush doll?
 
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