Gift Giving Etiquette in Germany | Unique Gifter

Gift Giving Etiquette in Germany

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this post may be "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Disclosure in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

Germany is a conservative country, in their tastes for gifts, as well as food and more. If you are traveling to Germany or giving a gift to a German native, there are some things you might want to know before choosing the gift. While they are conservative in tastes, quality gifts of the right type are appreciated.

Gift Giving Etiquette in Germany | Germany Gift Giving Tips | Guide For Gift Giving In Russia | Helpful Gift Giving Guide | #gifts #giftguide #germany #presents #etiquette #uniquegifter

Read more in our gift giving etiquette series:

Germany Gift Giving Customs

  • When invited into their home, it’s custom to give the woman flowers and the man a bottle of wine. You can also have the flowers wrapped as a gift at the shop for a nice touch.
  • It’s customary for the receiver to open the gift when it is received.
  • Christmas gifts are opened by children on Christmas Eve, once any religious celebrations and customs are done.

Giving Gifts to Germans

  • If you are staying in a family’s home, you can choose books about your country for their coffee table or other things from your country that they might find interesting.
  • Sometimes a good quality silk scarf is a good gift for the woman of the house.
  • Make sure to send a thank you card to the host or hostess for inviting you into their home.
A Riese & Müller Multicharger HS longtail cargo bike loaded with Ortlieb pannier bags and christmas presents and parked up in a scenic wintery landscape during sunrise.

Business Gift Giving Customs & Etiquette in Germany

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

We can help make your gift giving easier!

Join our mailing list to receive curated gift ideas, recipes, and celebration inspiration delivered right to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

  • Small gifts are polite, especially when first meeting someone. They aren’t always expected, but they will be appreciated.
  • If you get a substantial gift, avoid giving it in private. Any substantial gifts should be given in an official and public setting. They may be misconstrued.
  • Good quality pens and quality office items with your company’s logo on them are good choices as gifts.

Gift Giving Occasions in Germany

  • Weddings
  • Birthdays
  • Housewarming
  • Easter
  • May Day
  • Mother’s Day
  • Father’s Day
  • Weinfests in July/August
  • Schultute (the first day of school)
  • Oktoberfest
  • Thanksgiving
  • St. Nicholas Day – December 6th
  • Christmas
  • New Year’s Eve

Gift Giving Tips in Germany

  • Shops tend to close early on Saturdays and Sunday shopping is rare. Therefore, you may want to plan your gift shopping ahead of time.
  • Credit cards are rarely accepted at restaurants, so if you are paying for a restaurant meal, you need to ask the waiter.
  • Yellow roses and tea roses are good choices for gifts.
  • Make sure you are giving wine imported from France or Italy, as German wine is considered cheap and distasteful as a gift.

Gift Giving Don’ts

  • Don’t give substantial gifts in private.
  • Avoid red roses as they are seen as romantic gifts.
  • Carnations should be avoided as well, as they are for mourning.
  • Pointed objects of any kind, not just knives, are seen as bad luck for wedding gifts. Money is also a bad gift for a wedding, unless you are a family member.
  • Avoid things that are obviously pricey, as this may make the receiver feel like they owe you something in return.

Pin It on Pinterest

unique gifter header logo
Gift Giving Etiquette in Germany | Germany Gift Giving Tips | Guide For Gift Giving In Russia | Helpful Gift Giving Guide | #gifts #giftguide #germany #presents #etiquette #uniquegifter
A Riese & Müller Multicharger HS longtail cargo bike loaded with Ortlieb pannier bags and christmas presents and parked up in a scenic wintery landscape during sunrise.
Gift Ideas for Zombie Lovers | Zombie Lovers Gifts | Gift Zombie Lovers Love | The Best Zombie Lover Gifts | Zombie Gifts for Him | Zombie Gifts for Her | Zombie Gifts for Kids | Zombie Gift Basket | DIY Zombie Gifts | Awesome Zombie Gifts | Zombie Gifts for Birthday | Walking Dead Gifts | Gifts for Walking Dead Lovers| Presents for Walking Dead Lovers | Gift Ideas | Gifts | Presents | Birthday | Christmas
Best gift ideas for mine rescue competitions | Mine Rescue Competition Gifts | Creative Gifts For Mine Rescue Competitors | #gifts #giftguide #presents #minerescue #uniquegifter
Gift Ideas for the Year of the Horse | Chinese New Year Gift Ideas | Red Envelope Inspiration | Lunar New Years Gifts | Asian New Year Celebration Gifts | Fun New Year's Gift Inspiration | Birthday presents by Chinese Zodiac #zodiac #lunarnewyear #newyears #horse
Unisex Christmas Gift Ideas Under $30 | What are some unisex gift ideas under $30 | Christmas Gifts Under $30 | What to buy for Christmas under $30 | Christmas Gifts that are unisex | Unisex Christmas Presents that are affordable | Unique Unisex Christmas Presents #Unisex #ChristmasGifts #Affordable
Superb Gift Ideas for a Pisces Man | Men's Horoscope Gift | Presents for my Boyfriend | Gift Ideas for Men | Gifts for Husband | Birthday | Christmas
Baby Shower Hostess Thank You Gifts | Baby Shower Gifts | Baby Shower Hostess Presents | Presents For Hostess | #gifts #giftguide #presents #babyshower #hostess #uniquegifter
Ready to celebrate Kwanzaa this year? Put together a memorable present with these gift basket ideas for Kwanzaa.
Christmas Gift Ideas for a 21-Year-Old Man | What to get someone in his 20s | Birthday Presents for my Boyfriend | What to get my brother as a gift | Gifts that guys like | Fun valentine's day gifts for guys | What to buy a millennial man | For Him | For Men | male gift ideas
undefined
unique gifter footer logo
CookieYes Logo
Gift Giving Etiquette in Germany | Germany Gift Giving Tips | Guide For Gift Giving In Russia | Helpful Gift Giving Guide | #gifts #giftguide #germany #presents #etiquette #uniquegifter
Share This