The end of the year is a great time to exchange gifts with colleagues. However, make sure your well-meaning gift is not misinterpreted in the context of traditional Chinese culture.
No matter how practical or attractive that Swiss knife set appears, objects with sharp edges and blades are not appropriate as gifts, as this signifies cutting or severing ties with the recipient. This includes kitchen equipment, such as scissors and knives, and handyman tools such as a power saw. If you are unable to avoid giving them, some fung shui masters recommend tying a red string around the blade to nullify the effect, as this represents fire, which controls the cutting effects of metal.
Giving clocks and watches are also inappropriate, as this signifies that one is hastening one's death. The Cantonese expression for giving a clock is song jong, which rhymes with the words for 'accompanying one at the end' - that is, attending one's funeral.
Some Chinese people are not fond of secondhand items such as furniture and mirrors, as they feel that these contain the energy of previous owners, which could be malevolent.
There is also the connotation that the recipient is not financially secure enough to deserve or afford a new item. If unsure, ask your friend if they're okay with pre-owned items for gifts.
With regard to prints or art work, one should take into account personal taste and the implications of the image being presented. For instance, you may find the image of a lone lighthouse being buffeted by the sea as signifying strength in adversity. But your colleague may consider that as indicating some misfortune ahead.
