It’s not expected but always appreciated to give a gift in Spain. It may be for celebrating a friend’s birthday, having stayed for a week in a host family’s home, or closed a successful business deal.
When you plan to give a gift, you’d have to follow the proper Spanish etiquette. This shows that you’re willing to be a part of their culture and maintain smooth and good relations with them.
Personal Gifting Etiquette in Spain
So, here’s all that you need to know about personal gifting in Spain:
- Gifts received should quickly be opened in front of the sender. This is so the sender can see how delighted or satisfied the receiver is and that the latter can say their thanks.
- Presentation is also important to Spanish people so make sure the gift is wonderfully wrapped.
- When you are invited or received by a host family in Spain, it’s customary to bring them a gift, preferably sweet treats like chocolates, biscuits, pastries, and/or a bottle of flavourful wine.
- Find out if the host/hostess has children, and if they do, it’s nice to give them some candies, lollipops, toys, or another small gift.
- Flowers are only given during special occasions. If you plan on giving them, make sure they are in an odd number except thirteen.
- Don’t give white lilies, dahlias, and chrysanthemums as they are given at funerals and sympathies. And red roses are only for romance between spouses or sweethearts.
- It’s common practice in Spain for a person to treat his friends to a drink instead of giving a concrete gift.
Business Gifting Etiquette in Spain
And here are the proper customs for people looking to gift their employees or colleagues:
- In Spanish work culture, most of the time, people only give gifts after a profitable business deal has been concluded.
- On Christmas Day, there is a tradition in which employees give their employers a food basket or hamper and beverages.
- Exchange gifts between families and friends take place during the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th every year.
- A business gift should be branded and high-quality. Your company name should only be on a fine pen or an elegant table item.
- Be careful not to give an overly expensive gift for the reason that it may be taken as a bribe.
- For your colleague, gifts or coffee books from your home country could be a great choice. For your co-worker’s children, they may appreciate sports and university jerseys or caps.
- If you haven’t much time to prepare a business gift, getting a fine bottle of whiskey or brandy might work.
