Top 10 Argentine Wedding Gifts.
Argentine weddings famously go until dawn, with a carnaval carioca of props and music at around 2am. Gifting is cash or a list, and the cinta — ribbon pull — is the distinctive tradition.
What not to give
Read this before the list below. These are not preferences — several are genuine offences, and they are the part most gift guides leave out.
- Knives without a coin Give a small coin so the blade is bought rather than gifted — otherwise it cuts the friendship.
- Purple or black Mourning colours.
- Yellow flowers Associated with parting in parts of the Southern Cone.
- Leaving before the dawn breakfast Not a gift rule, but leaving early is noticed. There is usually churros and coffee at 6am.
The ten
- 01
Cash in an envelope
The standard gift, given at the reception.
- 02
From the wedding list or honeymoon fund
Increasingly the norm in cities.
- 03
Mate set — gourd and bombilla
Alpaca silver or calabash. Used every single day in Argentina.
- 04
Yerba mate, good quality
From a named producer. Not a token gift here.
- 05
Malbec from the wedding year
From a specific Mendoza vineyard, kept for anniversaries.
- 06
Leather goods
Argentine leather is excellent — a bag, belt or mate carrier.
- 07
Rhodochrosite (Inca rose)
Argentina’s national stone, in jewellery or as a piece.
- 08
Facon or asado knife set
With the coin convention — see below.
- 09
Alpaca silver serving pieces
For the table, and used.
- 10
Parrilla or asado equipment
Genuinely used most weekends.
If you are giving money
Cash in an envelope at the reception, generally covering your seat. Argentine weddings are long and expensive and guests give accordingly.
Written as common practice. Regional and family variation is enormous — if you are close enough to the couple to ask, ask. Nobody has ever been offended by the question.