Stories and folklore still form an important part of life where legends and traditions and are passed between the generations. These are also captured in poetic songs, music, costumes and dance. This customs and ritual dances belongs to a particular time of the year: Christmas Eve and St. George’s Day.
To know more about the Bulgarian tradition, especially about their gift tradition, you can read the following information:
BUSINESS GIFT GIVING IN BULGARY
- Relationship building is important in Bulgaria. Try to spend time getting to know people before getting down to serious business. You can always give them a gourmet basket, an office gift or send them a personal written thank-you note after a dinner party.
- Initial meetings should be used as an introduction. The next meetings can then be used for more business focused discussions.
- All Holidays are non-working days for state institutions, schools and most private businesses. So send your gifts on time, although Bulgarians ‘have time’. Under here you can find the most important Bulgarian Holidays:
- 1-2 January: New Year's Day
- 3 March: National Holiday / Bulgaria's Liberation from the Ottoman Empire
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 24 April: Easter
- 6 May: Gergyovden (St. George's Day) and Bulgarian Army Day
- 24 May: Bulgarian Education and Culture Holiday / Slavonic Literature Day
- 6 September: Unification Day (Holiday from September 3-6)
- 22 September: Independence Day (Holiday from September 22-25)
- 1 November: Day of the Bulgarian Enlighteners (for educational institutions only)
- 24, 25, 26 December: Christmas Days
- Gifts should reflect the value of your place on the relationship. Highly respected clients should receive more attention and a more personal gift, like a relaxation gift
- When sending gourmet gifts, be aware of any dietary restrictions your recipient may have due to religious, medical or ethical reasons. What concerns their religion, most Bulgarians are born into the Bulgarian Orthodox church.
PERSONAL GIFT GIVING
- Gifts are generally exchanged at Christmas, birthdays and when invited to someone’s house. Bulgarians appreciate truffles with alcohol, liqueur and Neuhaus chocolates.
- The general rule for gift giving is that it more about the thought than value – in fact do not give overly expensive gifts as this may cause the recipient embarrassment.
- When going to a Bulgarian’s home for dinner take bring flowers for the hostess and a white wine appletizer pack for the host.
- If taking flowers avoid chrysanthemums, lilies or gladiolas as they are used at funerals. Also ensure there are an odd number of stems.
- If giving a gift to a newborn only give an odd number of little gifts.
- Gifts and gift baskets are generally opened when received.
Links to helpful sites About Bulgary:
Holiday dates in Bulgary
http://www.eliznik.org.uk/Bulgaria/history/bulgaria_customs.htm
http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-world/bulgaria.html
Taxes and Customs to Send a Gift to Bulgary
http://www.fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_bg_profile.html?gtmcc=us
Bulgarian Personal White Pages for Addresses & Postal Codes
http://www.wayp.com/eng/europa3.shtml
http://www.yellow.com/100.html
http://www.numberway.com/phone-numbers/21/
http://www.bol.bg/index-en.html
http://www.obiavibg.net/