Gift Giving Etiquette If invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a box of chocolates, bottle of wine or flowers to your hosts. A good quality bottle of wine is always appreciated.
Generally, gift-giving is not part of Australian business culture. But, if you are invited to a home for dinner, it's permissible to bring a token gift of flowers, chocolates, a craft from your home region, or wine. An illustrated book from your home region can be another welcome gift.
If you are presented with the gift in person, smile and thank the gift giver. If you receive a gift by mail, call the gift giver as soon as you can to alert them that the gift has arrived. You should also send hand-written thank-you notes whenever possible.
The five gift rule says that you should give five gifts to your loved ones: one for each of the following categories: something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, and a special gift.
On Christmas morning, when the children awake, they are allowed to empty out their stockings to see what they received, which is typically candy, small toys, fruit or money. However, they must wait for their parents to wake up before they can open the gifts left under the tree.
To Christians, the gifts given at Christmas are symbolic of the tributes made to the baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men after his birth during the story of the Nativity.
Parents who use the three-gift rule generally give three more substantial or expensive gifts as opposed to many smaller gifts.
What is the 7-gift rule? It is the concept of buying only a set number of gifts for each individual, with each gift falling into a specific category. As you may have to guess, the specific number of gifts for this rule is 7. You buy one gift to fit in each category and by the end; you have 7 gifts to give.
According to this model, the gift-giving process has three stages -- gestation, prestation, and reformulation.
Gift-giving etiquette is important because if the selection of the gifting is right, it is given at the right time and it is given in the right manner then one can make the occasion and gift memorable for someone. It doesn't matter whether the gift is expensive or not but timing and meaning are more important.
Other parents have come up with variations such as the Rule of 10, adding six more gifts to the original four: something to wear on your feet, something to make, something to do, something to play as a family, something to give to others, and something to do for others.
Whether you're a single person or a couple, the permitted amount is $10,000 in cash and assets over one financial year or $30,000 in cash and assets over five financial years. This is commonly known as the $10k and $30k rule or a 'gifting free area'. Do I have to tell Centrelink?
Anzac Day. Taking place on the 25th April each year, Anzac day is a point of remembrance for all fallen soldiers who have fought and died for the freedoms of Australia and New Zealand.
Under the $20 rule, an employee may accept an unsolicited gift of $20 or less per occasion and no more than $50 in a calendar year from one person. If the market value of a gift offered on any single occasion exceeds $20, the employee may NOT pay the excess value over $20 in order to accept the gift.
In the 5 Gift Rule, the first four gifts are the same - something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. But the 5th? The 5th is the real winner. It's something they need or want but don't really know it.
Some follow the “rule of three.” This means that a child gets three presents, one for each gift baby Jesus received. Others believe in four: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.
The term white elephant refers to an extravagant, impractical gift that cannot be easily disposed of.
Carols by Candlelight is a tradition that started in Melbourne in 1938 and has since spread around Australia and the world. At the event people gather on Christmas Eve, usually outdoors, to sing carols by candlelight in a large-scale concert style event.
Australians often celebrate Christmas Day by enjoying a Christmas lunch or dinner with their closest family and friends. The meal usually consists of a selection of hot and cold dishes, including fresh seafood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Australia
What is Santa Claus called in Australia? These days most Australians call Atnas (his real name) “Santa”.
A common Australian Christmas custom is 'Kris Kringle' or 'Secret Santa' – a form of gift exchange between work colleagues or friends. Typically, you will agree on a gift price as a group, such as $15, and then each person will buy a gift for someone else in the group after drawing their name from a hat.