While generosity is widely encouraged, some cultures and spiritual traditions caution against lending specific items. These warnings are rooted in the belief that certain objects carry spiritual or energetic significance, which can transfer to others or invite misfortune. One example is salt, often associated with purity and protection. According to popular belief, lending salt can bring tension or illness into your home. It’s considered safer to give it away freely than to expect it returned.

Brooms, too, are viewed as more than cleaning tools—they symbolize energetic cleansing. Folk wisdom holds that lending your broom may metaphorically sweep away your financial stability. If you’re planning to give one as a gift, it’s said you should first buy a new one to avoid draining your own fortune.

Jewelry presents a more personal energetic risk. Because it rests close to the skin, it’s believed to absorb emotional and spiritual energy. Lending it can mean transferring a part of yourself—or taking on someone else’s vibes. For that reason, new pieces are preferable to heirlooms or worn items when it comes to gifting.

Even seemingly harmless items like dishes and tableware can carry subtle energy. In feng shui and other traditions, such items retain the ambiance of their original home. Lending or receiving them can disrupt harmony, cause emotional fatigue, or bring bad health. Using chipped dishes is particularly discouraged, as they are seen as omens of misfortune.

Finally, clothing, especially intimate or skin-contact items like shoes, can hold personal energy. This is why it’s wise to wash thrifted items thoroughly and sun-dry them to clear any residual energy. If you’re emotionally vulnerable, it’s better not to lend your clothes. These beliefs may not be scientific, but they reflect longstanding cultural wisdom. When in doubt, trust your gut—your intuition is often your best protection.