Mystical warnings about gifts: When giving is considered unlucky

Why you shouldn’t give clothes before a baby is born

This superstition is one of the strongest in Ukrainian folklore. Its roots go back to times of high infant mortality, when any preparation for a child was seen as boldness before God or fate.

Main reasons behind the taboo:

• Space attracts evil. Ancestors believed that if clothes were in the house but the child hadn’t been born yet, evil spirits could occupy the space. The items were thought to wait for their owner, and if the baby hasn’t arrived, this could attract negative energy.

• The empty stroller superstition. This is also where the taboo against having an empty crib or stroller comes from. If they are set up before the child’s birth, it is believed you are inviting emptiness or illness. Ethnographers advise placing a doll or talisman in the stroller to avoid leaving it empty.

• Evil eye and hexes. In the past, pregnancies were kept secret as long as possible. Buying baby items publicly announced the pregnancy, which, according to belief, could bring the evil eye on the mother or child.

• Psychological aspect. In cases of difficult or unsuccessful births, having baby items in the home could become a source of unbearable pain for parents. Preparation was therefore left until the baby was actually home.

A modern perspective:
In today’s world, there’s a more esoteric interpretation. Giving gifts to a pregnant mother before birth can be positive. It signals to the universe that you are already expecting this little new soul, love them, and are ready to care for them. The baby under the mother’s heart will feel the anticipation and love.

Why early gifts are considered bad luck

You’ve probably heard the saying, Don’t celebrate early. This applies not only to birthdays but to any significant date.

What folk beliefs say:

• Energy drain. It is believed that the day before birth (or any birthday) a person is at the peak of energy exhaustion. Early congratulations steal the energy needed to move into a new life stage.

• Fate deception. Celebrating or giving a gift too early is seen as trying to change the course of time. Ancestors believed a guardian angel arrives at the exact moment of birth, so early congratulations come before protection is present.

• Not to live superstition. In the most extreme versions of the superstition, early congratulations were thought to be a sign that the person might not live to see the date.

How to handle it in 2026

If you are practical but don’t want to upset superstitious relatives, here are some tips:

For future parents

If you really want to give a gift, buy it, but keep it at home. Give it only after the birth.

If you have already bought a gift early

Ask the recipient not to open it until the special day. Keeping it closed nullifies the superstition.

Gift certificates instead of items

This is the perfect solution. You give the parents the option to choose clothes or a gift after the baby is born, avoiding any potential superstitions.

Use courier services

If you cannot deliver the gift personally on the special day, schedule a courier to deliver it on the chosen date.

Money

On the actual day (birth or other celebration), you can transfer gift money to the card.

Sources: Ukrainian Mythology by Valeriy Voitovych, ethnographic essays by Oleksa Voropay, advice from esoteric specialists, and Hochy.