General Guidelines Guidelines for Giving Gifts to Ethnic Malays
•If invited to an ethnic Malay home, try to bring small, practical gifts for the family. Present the gifts shortly before departing, not when arriving.
•Good choices include alcohol-free perfumes or colognes for a hostess, toys for children, and collared, fine cotton shirts for men.
•Foods can make good gifts, although meat products of any kind must be “halal”, which is the Muslim equivalent of kosher. The prohibition against pork and alcohol also cancels out pigskin products and perfumes containing alcohol.
•Present gifts with the right hand only.
•Don't wrap gifts for ethnic Malays in white paper; white is associated with funerals.
•Green or red wrapping paper is the safest choice.