Cash Gift Etiquette: 6 Perfect Occasions & 4 No-Nos

Many people think giving cash gifts is always "safe" because everyone likes money - but the truth is there are occasions when cash gifts can cause serious misunderstandings.

From weddings and memorial services to Lunar New Year red envelopes, these are traditional occasions for cash gifts, while giving money for a lover's birthday or to your boss could make you lose points or violate social etiquette.

Join CHUS in understanding the 6 occasions when you should give cash gifts and 4 occasions you should absolutely avoid to help you show respect appropriately. Especially when there are "forbidden zones" you may never have thought of!

Why You Need to Consider Carefully When Giving Cash Gifts

While cash gifts are highly practical, they need careful consideration for these reasons:

1. Psychological and Emotional Aspects

Gifts with emotional value usually create deeper connections than cash gifts. When receiving a beautifully crafted handmade item, the recipient can feel the time investment and dedication of the giver. In contrast, cash may have high value but sometimes lacks warmth and connection.

2. Cultural Value and Connection

Gift-giving shows respect and expresses relationships. Especially if you choose gifts with high spiritual value like artistic or traditional cultural significance through commemorative gifts, it becomes a cultural bridge, preserving and conveying the spiritual values of the nation.

3. Sustainability and Long-term Meaning

Cash can be used and "disappear" quickly, while a handcrafted gift can become a precious keepsake, linked to beautiful memories for many years. This is exactly why we need to consider between the practicality of cash gifts and the long-term spiritual value of tangible presents.

Giving cash gifts requires understanding culture and social etiquette

However, depending on each situation, you'll decide whether to give cash gifts or not. Keep reading to learn more!

6 Occasions When You Should Give Cash Gifts

1. Weddings and Marriage Ceremonies

In East Asian culture, giving cash gifts for weddings is a traditional standard that's highly valued. Cash envelopes help newlyweds have financial flexibility to prepare for their new life together. According to a Real Simple survey, many couples prefer receiving cash over wedding gifts so they can freely choose necessary items for their home.

Cash envelopes in traditional Vietnamese weddings are very familiar

2. Memorial Services and Worship Ceremonies

Giving cash gifts during memorial occasions helps the host family flexibly prepare ceremonies thoughtfully. This avoids choosing wrong colors or fruits inappropriate for family customs. According to shared wisdom from previous generations, "Ceremonial money shows respect and sharing with families during solemn occasions."

Money is a gift of sharing with family and clan during worship ceremonies

3. Lunar New Year Red Envelopes (Tet Nguyen Dan)

Tet red envelopes are traditional customs to wish prosperity and good luck - incredibly familiar. When asking when to give cash gifts, the clearest answer is Lunar New Year. According to Money.com, the "cash is king" trend makes red envelope money seen as gifts that are both "thoughtful and practical." And Tet in Vietnamese and Chinese culture is the perfect occasion to give cash gifts.

Traditional red envelope bags during Lunar New Year

4. Gifts for Newborns and Full-Month Celebrations

Giving cash gifts is truly convenient for new mothers who need to buy many essential items for babies. This is also an extremely convenient solution because when children are very young, all items must be carefully chosen for each baby. In this case, your gift-giving could make families more uncomfortable if it's not suitable for the baby. Cash gifts are ideal presents in this situation!

Giving gifts to babies won't be as thoughtful as giving gifts

5. Housewarming (Before Moving In)

Giving cash gifts allows homeowners to choose items suitable for feng shui and personal preferences, avoiding receiving inappropriate items. This is one of the occasions experts recommend for when to give cash gifts.

6. Emergency Financial Support

During difficult times and illness, giving cash gifts is direct, timely support that meets exact needs. Research on "warm-glow giving" shows both givers and receivers feel happier when money helps solve practical problems like this. And what could be more practical than cash gifts at this time?

Money given at the right time will leave lasting joy

4 Occasions You Absolutely Should Not Give Cash Gifts

This is a very important section - money seems like everyone would like it. However, when receiving gifts, people also expect deep emotion and care. So when not to give cash gifts?

1. Lover's Birthday or New Friend's Birthday

Giving cash gifts as birthday gifts can make recipients feel it lacks thoughtfulness and personalization. According to surveys on Reddit, many users commented: "For friends I find it a bit unpersonal… I think it's okay if it's family" (Glamour, Vox). This is also common psychology, because with friends and lovers, transferring cash gifts truly makes the other person feel "indebted," simply giving for the sake of giving.

Birthday gifts always leave stronger emotions

>>> Read more: Is Giving Money as a Birthday Gift Appropriate? Complete Etiquette Guide 2025

"Rain Of Flowers" Hand-Painted Glass Cup, Custom Text Addition, Art Glass Cup, Home Decorative, Office Mug, Personalized Gift, Unique Birthday Gift

380,000 ₫

Feminine Silk Gift Box, Gentle Every Moment, Exclusive Gift Set With Eye Mask, Hair Tie & Scarf, Vietnamese Silk, Birthday Gift For Her, Gift For Mom

487,500 ₫

12%

429,000 ₫

"Happy Inside" Gift Set, Beautify Body & Mind, Women's Day Gift Box with Honey & Scented Candle, Birthday Gift For Her, Feminine Gift Box For Her

1,045,000 ₫

Floral Border Design, Rectangle Dried Flower Frame, Customizable According to Preferences, Artistic Masterpiece, Exquisite Beauty, Corporate Gift

480,000 ₫

2. Giving to Boss or Superiors During Holidays and Tet

Giving cash gifts to superiors can be misunderstood as "bribery," violating professional boundaries. During these occasions, you should choose refined, personalized gifts, avoiding cash gifts to maintain healthy work relationships. For instance, a mental health care gift set or office supplies would be better scoring choices!

"The Executive" Gift Box, Curated Premium Experiences, Gift Set For Him With Tea Infuser Plus Card Wallet & Shaving Kit, Luxury Corporate Gift Set

1,430,000 ₫

Personalized "Memory" Gift Box, Preserving Lasting Sincerity, Gift Set With Custom Bamboo Cup & Passport Holder, Birthday Gift Box With Exclusive Card

661,500 ₫

20%

529,200 ₫

"The Elegant Desk" Gift Set, Asserting Gentleman's Style, Gift Set For Men with Modern Office Accessories, Luxurious Gift, Birthday Gift For Him

968,000 ₫

"Vietnam Memory" Gift Box, Enchanted By Vietnam's Charm, Tea and Coffee, Passport Cover, Ceramic Cup, Coasters, Coffee Filter, Souvernirs, Corporate Gift

1,848,000 ₫

3. Valentine's Day and Romantic Anniversaries

Most experts believe that love-related gifts should invest more in emotions than the monetary value of cash gifts. Therefore, if asking when not to give cash gifts, it's clearly during occasions expressing deep feelings. Money gets spent, so if you or your partner still like giving cash gifts, include a small gift to ensure beautiful memories are preserved on this special day.

Anniversary days need a physical gift for keepsakes

4. When You Don't Know Local Culture

In many places, giving cash gifts can be considered rude or cause misunderstandings. Especially, when not to give cash gifts is when you visit new localities, especially new countries - observe and learn how people there give gifts instead of trying to send money for convenience. For instance, Wikipedia Etiquette clearly states that in North America, giving or receiving cash gifts during parties is considered very rude.

So When Should You Choose Cash, When Should You Choose Gifts?

1. Cases When You Should Choose Cash Gifts

Besides specific occasions, depending on each situation you can choose cash gifts such as:

• Need high practicality and flexibility
• Distant circumstances or urgent situations
• Recipients have specific financial needs
• Following cultural traditions

However, if you're far away, you still have ways to give thoughtful gifts by doing it yourself like this: CHUS Surprise Gift Feature: Fast, Easy, and Unforgettable!

Gifts from afar can still show sincere thoughtfulness

2. Cases When You Should Choose Physical Gifts

The remaining occasions when you should prioritize choosing physical gifts instead of cash gifts:

• Want to show personal thoughtfulness and emotional investment
• Close relationships needing subtlety
• Special occasions with deep emotional significance
• When you know the recipient's preferences well

Tip: If unsure when to give cash gifts, ask gently or choose easily exchangeable gifts!

Tips for Giving Cash Cleverly and Tactfully

In many cases, cash gifts are still polite. However, if it's not red envelopes or weddings, you can add some subtlety by:

1. Include Cards and Personal Wishes

Including greeting cards and personal messages will add meaning to cash gifts, making them warmer and more thoughtful.

Funky Birthday Card

35,000 ₫

You Are A Mother Like No Other Greeting Card

45,000 ₫

Vintage Handmade Greeting Cards

49,000 ₫

10%

44,100 ₫

Lovely Handmade Greeting Cards

39,000 ₫

10%

35,100 ₫

2. Choose Feng Shui Numbers

To add feng shui meaning, give cash gifts in amounts like:

• Number 8: luck, prosperity
• Number 6: smoothness, success
• Avoid number 4: unlucky in East Asian culture

3. Clearly Explain the Purpose

They won't feel awkward and think you're giving cash gifts casually if they understand why you're giving money. So clearly state what you want them to use the money for or simply express your sentiment. For instance, "This money is for the child's college savings" or "For you two to choose suitable items for your home" helps recipients understand your intentions.

4. Combine Cash and Small Gifts

Combine cash gifts with shopping vouchers or small presents to maintain subtlety and show care. Some people include money in flower bouquets or give money flower bouquets!

Biến tiền thành bó hoa sẽ tạo nên món quà thật hấp dẫn! (Ảnh: Internet)

>>> Read more: Wallets as Gifts: Why You Shouldn’t Give Them Empty

Conclusion

Giving cash gifts is a subtle art requiring understanding of culture, circumstances, and recipient psychology. We hope that clearly understanding when to give cash gifts and when not to will help you show respect and tact in social communication.

Most importantly, it's about sincere heart and appropriate expression for each specific circumstance. And if you decide to choose giving gifts instead of cash gifts, explore the meaningful gift collection on CHUS to make decisions more easily!

FAQs

• When should I give money instead of gifts?
  Give money for weddings, Lunar New Year, baby celebrations, and emergency financial support. Cash offers practical value in these cultural contexts.
• Is it okay to give money for a close friend's birthday?
  Not recommended as it lacks personalization and may seem thoughtless. Meaningful gifts show more care and consideration.
• Should I write my name on the money envelope?
  Yes, always include your name and wishes so the recipient knows who to thank. This shows basic respect and courtesy.
• Can I transfer money instead of giving cash?
  Only when you cannot attend in person. For formal occasions like weddings or memorials, cash demonstrates sincerity.
• When should I absolutely never give money?
  Never give money for Valentine's Day, romantic anniversaries, lover's birthdays, or to superiors. These occasions require personalization and sensitivity.