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Assess the occasion. Is it a birth, wedding, graduation, engagement, pregnancy, baby shower, success, new house or a new car (yes, some people celebrate over the most trivial matters). The grander the occasion, I feel the bigger the gift or the bigger the bouquet.
You might want to congratulate taking into consideration the kind of relationship you bear with the recipient. Emails are fine for someone who is not so close and personal visits are almost a must if it’s family.
There are so many things you can offer along with your heartfelt congratulations. Whilst congratulating someone for marriage, some Asians prefer giving the ‘hongbao’ (red packet with money). Same goes for births as well, though majority would usually buy baby wear or baby items to decorate the room. On a graduation, a creatively designed card would do wonders.
Be aware of cultural practices- some people might feel offended if you congratulate them on things like a pay raise or pregnancy. Ask around from other friends or relatives to check what’s happening and what’s not. Like I said, don’t try to stand out deliberately from the rest, unless you are really close to the person.
The most common gift on a ‘congratulations’ occasion is (Yes! You guessed it right) flowers or a bouquet. Oh, there are just so many flowers you can send conveying your congratulations. It’s a happy occasion, so I would recommend sending really flamboyant (loud/flashy) colours.
If you have problems choosing the right kind of flowers, don’t forget the florist. If you feel the flowers/bouquet isn’t enough, then add a ‘congratulations’ helium balloon. Don’t forget the card. If you still think the arrangement is too plain, throw in a box of chocolates. All aside, the best complement to flowers for a ‘well done’ occasion is a bottle of wine. |
