Chinese consider gifts as an important part to show courtesy. It is appropriate to give gifts on occasions such as festival, birthday, wedding or visiting a patient. If you are invited to a family party, small gifts like wine, tea, cigarettes or candies are welcomed. Also fruit, pastries and flowers are a safe choice. As to other things, you should pay a little attention to the cultural differences.
Contrary to westerners, odd numbers are thought to be unfortunate. So wedding gifts and birthday gifts for the aged are always sent in pairs, because the old saying goes—blessings come in pairs.
If you have learned Chinese or attended a Chinese language school, though four is an even number, it reads like death in Chinese thus is avoided. So is pear a homophone of separation. And a gift of clock sounds like attending other’s funeral so it is a taboo, too.
As connected with death and sorrow, black and white are also the last in choice. Giving gift is unsuitable in public except for some souvenirs. Your good intentions or gratitude should be given priority to but not the value of the gifts. Other wise the receiver may mistake it for a bribe.