A beautiful, carefully-chosen tie is a wonderful way to honor special occasions such as a birthday, an important new job or accomplishment, a graduation, or a rite of passage.

If you’re considering purchasing a tie as a gift, this guide explains the meaning and significance of gifting a tie, how to properly wrap a necktie, and the etiquette involved in the presentation so you can confidently give the perfect necktie to a special someone.

Are Ties a Good Gift?

Yes, when chosen carefully, a necktie makes an excellent gift. A necktie is a versatile, thoughtful, and practical gift.

The Symbolism of Gifting a Tie

Gifting a tie can represent support for the recipient’s achievements or goals, a rite of passage or a notable life event. A tie gift meaning can also indicate symbolic but subtle intimacy — “wear this tie close to your heart,” or “you’re bound to me by wearing this tie around your neck.”

Whether you choose to present an elegant, formal necktie or a more casual, relaxed style of tie, the act of gifting a tie can represent the special bond between the giver and the receiver.

Choosing the Perfect Tie as a Gift

Consider the Recipient’s Style

When selecting a tie for a gift, consider the recipient’s existing wardrobe, style, and color preferences. Some men enjoy wearing more colorful or fashionable clothing while others prefer a more subdued look. Be sure to choose a tie that aligns with the recipient’s sartorial style.

Choosing a tie that matches the recipient’s profession or lifestyle is also a great guide to selecting the right tie. Is the recipient an outdoorsy type who enjoys the more casual look of knit ties? Or maybe he’s a sophisticate who prefers the refined, stylish look of a silk geometric patterned tie. Either way, be sure to consider his personal taste and lifestyle preferences.

Occasion-Appropriate Selections

A tie is a wonderful gift to commemorate a special occasion. A formal event such as a bar mitzvah will call for a different type of tie than a casual occasion such as a 40th birthday bash.

Silk ties are the ultimate in elegance and ideal to gift for a formal event or occasion. More playful ties in casual fabrics and patterns are terrific gifts for occasions that tend toward the more casual.

Quality and Material

When gifting, always choose a high-quality, well-crafted necktie. More formal ties are made of silk and fine wools while more casual ties are made of cotton and linen. No matter the fabric, careful craftsmanship is a sign of quality and should be a priority when you select a tie.

Fabric and Color Choices for Different Seasons

Typically, silk fabric ties are appropriate for any season. Silk and wool neckties are a great choice for fall and winter, especially in rich, deep, jewel and earth tones. Choose linen and cotton fabric ties in brighter colors and pastels to wear in spring and summer.

How to Wrap a Tie as a Gift

Tying a necktie in your favorite knot involves one skill — wrapping a tie as a gift is another. How to wrap a tie as a gift includes these five steps:

1. Start by choosing a special long, narrow rectangular tie box. These boxes are made especially for presenting and protecting a quality tie.
2. Lay tissue paper in the box, folded to fit the interior dimensions with sufficient wings of tissue paper to envelop the tie.
3. Now, carefully fold the tie so that it will fit inside the box without touching the sides. Be sure the front of the tie faces up.
4. Fold the tissue paper neatly over the tie.
5. Wrap the boxed tie in gift wrap appropriate to the occasion and complete the package with a flourish of beautiful ribbon tied into a bow.

Enticing presentation is important! You’ve carefully selected just the right tie to gift, so be sure to present it in an attractively wrapped box finished with ribbon, a bow, and a card.

If you’d like to go a step further to make your presentation seem extra-special:

• Coordinate the gift wrap and ribbon with the necktie. Select the tissue in a color that complements the tie, then choose the gift wrap and ribbon in colors that echo the tones in the tie. For example, if you’re gifting a floral silk tie like the Laura Ashley x Tie Bar Picardle Light Blue Tie, you could choose peach color tissue paper and gift wrap in a pattern of various shades of blue — all tied up with an orange satin ribbon.
• Or, enhance the gift with complementary accessories such as a pocket square or a tie bar. The accessories can be included along with the necktie inside the tie box to create an especially thoughtful gift.

Etiquette for Giving a Tie as a Gift

The etiquette of how to give a tie as a gift involves recognizing the occasion and the ways in which to best present the gift.

Appropriate Occasions

A tie is an appropriate and thoughtful gift for so many occasions — graduations, a new job, Father’s Day, birthdays, as a gesture of appreciation, a special accomplishment — and much more.

But as you choose just the right tie, be sure to consider the recipient’s lifestyle. A tie wouldn’t be an appropriate gift for a person who never wears a tie and has no intention of wearing one in the future, or if a more personal gift attuned to their interests or hobbies would be a better choice.

Presenting the Gift

Now that you’ve carefully selected the perfect tie and put time and effort into wrapping it, try your best to present your gift in person. Personally giving the gift gives you the opportunity to express warm congratulatory comments — and the recipient will sense the thoughtful, kind, gesture.

Include a signed card with sincere words appropriate to the occasion. Also, a card will assure the recipient of who the gift is from — important if the gift is put aside to be opened later or being shipped.

Making a Lasting Impression with a Tie Gift

A thoughtfully chosen and presented tie is a meaningful and appreciated gift suitable for many occasions. Your gift is sure to please when you select a color, pattern, and fabric suitable to the occasion and recipient’s taste.

Explore necktie gift options among The Tie Bar’s beautiful and varied collection. Once you’ve scanned our silk, wool, cotton, and linen neckties in solid color pastels to rich jewel tones — or our eye-catching patterns that range from geometrics to florals, you’re sure to find the perfect tie to present as an appreciated gift.

EXPLORE OUR NECKTIES