Return of Gifts (回礼) & Bride’s Gifts (嫁妆)

Since the big day is approaching soon, my parents & I went to buy dowry stuffs last Monday. Following are the address & contact number for the shop.

达兴公司
72, Kampung Pantai,
74200 Melaka,
Tel: 06-283 2390

The shop sells most of the things & the uncle who served us is very experienced. However, we only bought the necessary stuffs.

So what have I gotten for my GDL?


1. Red round tray which consisted of the following items:

• Dried longan: Prosperity (龙眼干: 祝福子孫興旺，含有龍的傳人、圓滿多福、代代相傳、生生不息之意)
• Grains: Sufficient food (五谷: 丰衣足食)
  
• Handkerchiefs: Good living (手帕: 有衣食)
• Charcoals: Happy post-marital life for the bridge (木炭: :多生子女)
• 8 pieces of red packet with "yuan qian"
• 2 rolls of cotton: Harmony from now till old age (棉: 白发齐眉)
• Flower Hair Pin: For Mother-in-law (喜花 / 头花: 供家婆插在头上)
  

2. Tea Set:

• The tea ceremony is the most significant event in a Chinese wedding as it serves as a mean to introduce the bride and the groom to other members of the family. During the tea ceremony, the couple will serve tea to family members & address them by their official title. Drinking the tea symbolises acceptance to the family & the sweetness of the tea (lotus seeds and red dates are used) is a wish for sweet relations between the two families.

3. A pair of bedside lamps:

• symbolize bright future.

4. Baby bathtub & potty (子孫桶):

• The uncle has asked me to put a 'ang pao' inside the potty. He then wrapped up the potty nicely. So during our wedding day, we'll ask a little boy to break the wrapper & get the 'ang pao' out. Some has said that the boy needs to pee inside the potty. Anyway, it means bringing many children and grandchildren

5. Sewing basket:

• It comes with even numbered rolls of colourful thread, needles, pincushion, scissors & sewing wax with auspicious words on it. It signifies a capable wife.

6. Ruler:

• Property (尺:良田萬頃)

7. Two sheets of Sarung:

• Delivering the first baby as soon as possible.

8. Two bottles of Sunquick orange juices.

• To exchange with the hard liquor.
  

9. Two packets of candies:

• Happy & everlasting marriage (甜蜜果: 甜甜蜜蜜)
  

10. Oranges


11. Son-in-law's trousers:

• Wealth & fortune (女婿的長褲:長命富貴)

Long lists right? Hehe....