Important things you should learn before you order gifts to your friends and business partners in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and other countries of former USSR.

The following article, containing "Holiday Gift Giving tips in Belarus" is prepared by www.RussianFlora.com an internet gift & flower delivery network. RussianFlora.com is providing professional delivery of gifts, flower baskets, gift sets, floral arrangements, toys, sweets and custom gifts in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and all countries of the former USSR.

It is very common in Belarus to give business gifts to co-workers or business partners. This gift is a social gesture that may be expected in Belarus, and will not be considered a bribe. Knowing the gift guidelines and rich Belorussian holiday traditions will enhance your business communication or may help you to find friends or loved ones.

Very often if you are in a country known for producing a particular product, local pride and quality dictate that you wouldn't offer that item as a gift, especially if it were manufactured elsewhere. Good examples are: perfume in France and Italy; leather in Brazil; beer in Germany; wine in France and Italy; silver in Mexico, and of course: vodka in Russia and Belarus. However giving high quality local products, like Vodka or Caviar would be acceptable, as it will show the respect for the culture and hence the people.

Below are most important Belorussian holidays in calendar order and corresponding gift ideas.

JANUARY

New Year - January 1: New Year's Day is one the most favorite holidays in Belarus. Both grown-ups and children are happy on this day. In the Eve of this holiday or just on this very day everybody give presents to each other, have fun, make fireworks, decorate pine and fur-trees, cook delicious things and lay the holiday table. The unchangeable participants of this holiday are Father Frost and his granddaughter "Snegurochka" (a snow girl). The holiday lasts till next morning. Everyone who believes in good says an intimate wish and thanks God for everything good that had happened that year. For the first time this holiday was announced by Peter the Great, order dated by January 20, 1700. This order gave the detailed instructions how to celebrate New Year's Day. Many people used to see the New Year in on January 14, (according to the old calendar). And the tradition of telling fortunes at this night is very popular among young ladies and fellows, who are willing to know at least a little bit about their near future.

Many businesses close from December 31 to January 8 (until after Orthodox Christmas)

The best gifts for the New Year are: Champagne - the traditional party drink, and Gift Sets - which are usually placed under the Pine Tree (Russian version of Christmas tree).

Orthodox Christmas - January 7: This period from 7th till 19th of January is the best period for telling fortunes, as it is the Saint Christmas week, when people have fun, ware fancy-dresses and walk from one home to another asking for favor.
In the night of the 7th of January (according to the orthodox calendar) is Christmas. In Christmas holidays people try to be better, purer (cleaner); it is the time when Christian values take peculiar importance (meaning), it is time for good deeds. Christmas-is the holiday of waiting for miracles. As once it had happened in Vifliem - the Rescuer of humanity was born, so it must happen every year on this day. That's why both grown-ups and children are waiting for Christmas with such impatience and even though miracle doesn't take place the holiday is very nice with its unique mixture of folk and Christian customs and tradition.

Christmas presents are not as common in Belarus as they are in Western culture however poinsettia plant and souvenir candles would be a great choice for someone in Belarus.

Old New Year - January 13: holiday in memory of Old Calendar New Year, celebrated as a family holiday.

The Student Day ( Tatiana's Day ) - January 25: in Belarus it is a merry holiday of the students as on this very day January, 25th 1775 Emperor Elizabeth signed the decree (prepared by count Shuvalov) of the establishment of the Moscow University. It is very happy holiday for Belorussian youth: most students take off from school earlier and get together for the wild midweek party.

Any drink or food basket would be a great choice for this holiday.

FEBRUARY

Holiday of lovers - St. Valentine's Day - February 14: Christian martyr Valentine was condemned to the capital punishment by Roman pagans but even in such cruel conditions he didn't stop thinking of his lover-the jailer's daughter. He sent her a message full of love and tenderness.
This holiday, inherited from the Western culture, is now very popular in Belarus.

Traditional Valentine's Chocolates and Roses would be just right for this holiday. Remember however, that 11 roses would substitute the traditional Dozen roses. The odd number of stems should be given in any occasion, except for funerals. This rule does not apply to mixed bouquets and arrangements.

Another unique idea would be to send the Message in the Bottle, the Love Letter of all times.

Men's Day (formerly know as The Army Day) - February 23: This holiday is celebrated on the 23rd of February. It is our tribute of respect to all the generations of soldiers from the ancient times till nowadays to those who defeated courageously our motherland from invaders. On this day all the masculine representatives from boys to old men receive congratulations and presents and the military men greet each other. Women have a happy opportunity to say the warmest and the sweetest words to their lovers and to please them with signs of attention.

High Quality Armenian Cognac (or Armenian Brandy) or traditional Russian Vodka would please any man on this day.

The Pancake Day - February 27 till the beginning of March: It is a holiday of ancient Slavs in honor to east pagan God of fertility (Vles). It is a holiday of farewell to the winter and welcome to the spring.
The Orthodox Church considers the Pancake Day to be a Christian holiday the so-called cheese week. It is previous to the Fast and it is celebrated 7 weeks before Easter. It is a merry folk holiday when old rubbish or hey scarecrow is burnt. Most people put on skins of animals and soil their faces with soot to drive away wicked spirits.

It would be great to send the Food Basket for the Pancake party table. The basket of seasonal fruits would also be a good gift for this unique holiday.

MARCH

Women's Day - March 8: Born at a time of great social turbulence and crisis, the International Women's Day (IWD) inherited a tradition of protest and political activism. In the years before 1910, from the turn of the 20th century, women in industrially developing countries were entering paid work in some numbers. Their jobs were sex segregated, mainly in textiles, manufacturing and domestic services where conditions were wretched and wages worse than depressed. In Europe, the flames of revolution were being kindled.
March 8 became the first spring holiday in Belarus. Up to this day, it is an official day off and both men and women of Belarus are looking forward to this holiday. It has long lost its political meaning and is looked upon as a day to celebrate the unconditional love, sacrifice, patience, wisdom, and beauty of the Belarussian women. It is the day of all women: mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, wives and girlfriends. Unlike on Mother's Day - every woman expects to receive flowers and gifts. Prices on flowers and many romantic gifts double on this holiday. This creates budget difficulties for many Belarussian men. Any bouquet or flower arrangement ordered well in advance would be a good choice for Women's Day in Belarus. Unlike Valentine's Day, flower giving on Women's Day is common not only for lovers, but for friends, co-workers and business partners.

It is also good to know that flowers carry deep meanings. A single red rose points unequivocally to the heart -- marriage. Tulips intend sympathy, while yellow tulips reveal a hidden love. An orchid praises unique beauty and a chrysanthemum -- if it's yellow -- speaks of undying youth and health. A cactus grants happiness and a long life of harvests. For more information about the meaning of different types of flowers visit Flowers Meaning page.

APRIL

Fool Day (the Day of laughter) - April 1: They say it is not a sin to laugh at everything that seems to be fun. The medical men confirm that laughter prolong the life. It is considered that those who can laugh at themselves achieve a lot.
Recently this fun holiday didn't celebrate everywhere but nowadays it has become a custom. Everybody tries to play a trick on others.

Orthodox Easter - two weeks after Catholic Easter: It is the main Christian holyday established in honor to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ crucified on the cross and to the Outcome of the Jews from Egypt.
Easter is hold on the 1st Sunday after the vernal equinox and it is celebrated solemnly and merrilly. The date of Easter is usually determined by the church calendar and calculated according to so-called paskhalias - the special tables.

Easter Calla Lilies and Gift Baskets are good selections for this holiday.

MAY

The Holiday of Spring and Labor - May 1: The 1st of May is the traditional holiday of spring. It opens the sequence of other May holidays. This is the day of triumph of the nature which is full of blossom, of birds' singing, of multicolored flowers and small balls. People have a rest both from the long frosty winter and winter troubles looking forward the summer and summer joys.

Victory Day - May 9: It is the greatest holyday for Belarussian people. It is both joy and sorrow. But there is much more on this day because we managed to defend our independence and we won "the brown plague" and stood the test of war with dignity. A great gratitude to those who lost their lives for today's peace and happiness. And eternal memory will last forever.

The carnations are commonly given flowers on this holiday, but any Spring flowers, like Tulips or Irises would make a great bouquet.

JUNE

The International Day of Children Defense - June 1: What is sunnier, joyful, and memorable than the childhood? A child gets to know the world, learns good and friendship, and finds out new in familiar things. A child is happy when he is loved, warmed fed and understood. The children are the future of the mankind. Tomorrow is in their hands. Their right for life and dignity must be respected and defended.
Children like to receive gifts on this and many other holidays, like New Year, Christmas and Birthdays, of course. Presents for children in Belarus come in various forms: from soft toys to Lego robots or Barbie dolls.

SEPTEMBER

The Day of Knowledge - September 1: Every year after a kind hot summer on the 1st of September pupil go to their classes to continue their journey to the Land of Knowledge. While growing up they comprehend the depths of Wisdom of this Land to enter the adult life being armed with thorough Knowledge. On this day the doors of colleges, universities, and schools are also open.

OCTOBER

Teacher's Day - October 5: This special day was created to focus the World's attention on the contributions and achievements of teachers as well as their concerns and priorities.

For many students and their parents it is common to give flower bouquets and chocolates to teachers on this holiday as a special appreciation for the hard work they do. Teachers' salary in Belarus is not very high and any gift would bring the happiness to the recipient.

DECEMBER

New Year's Eve - December 31

BIRTHDAY TRADITION

Birthdays are very important for many Russians, not just for kids, but also for adults. People organize Birthday party where they get together with friends and relatives. Every guest has to bring some gift of reasonable value. Some people may send gifts or flowers, if they can not attend the party. The most popular gift for Birthday is the Cake. There is variety of high quality cakes available in Belarus today.

In addition to reach Birthday tradition, many Belarussians also celebrate Name Days (Angel's Days). Many names, like Maria may have more then one associated Name Day.

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