Gift giving has been an activity throughout human history. Gifts can have different meanings based on the people involved or the occasion. Sometimes, it is difficult to know what the right gift would be. With a general idea of the concept of gift giving, we hope to give you a better understanding of what gifts are so that you can come up with some great gift ideas for the special people in your life.
What is a gift?
A gift or a present is the transfer of some kind of good or monetary amount with no intention of receiving compensation. A gift is intended to be given freely, yet there may be a social expectation of reciprocity.
Gifts can be given as a kind gesture, a sign of forgiveness or the asking for forgiveness. They are often given on special occasions. Also, some may give gifts to receive in return prestige or power, such as those who make monetary political contributions. Likewise, athletes may receive gifts from a sports club as incentive to play for that particular team. Overall, though, gift giving is traditionally a positive activity, and in many human societies, mutual exchange of gifts can contribute to social cohesion.
What occasions and customs in the U.S. traditionally involve giving gifts or gift exchanges?
A number of occasions and celebrations call for gifts. On a birthday, the person having the birthday receives gifts, often including a cake or some sort of dessert. During the Christmas holidays, people often exchange gifts, sometimes receiving them supposedly from Santa Clause. At a wedding, the couple receives gifts, usually for their home, and provides food and drinks at a wedding reception. On the solemn occasion of a funeral, visitors often bring flowers and the family of the deceased gives refreshments. After a birth, the parents receive gifts on behalf of the newborn child. Students at an academic milestone such as a graduation often receive gifts in congratulations. On Father's and Mother's Day, parents receive gifts from their children. It is a tradition also for guests and hosts to exchange gifts at parties.
Is it possible to give a gift that is not a "thing"?
We often associate the idea of gifts with material objects. They do not always have to be physical gifts, however. Often, sums of money can be given as gifts. Sometimes people will make a contribution, sponsorship, or some sort of charitable donation in the name of someone else. For example, one organization that specializes in such gift giving is Heifer International. Heifer is an organization striving to end world hunger and poverty by helping people to obtain a sustainable source of food and income. A person can purchase an animal or animals, such as sheep, for a family in some poverty-stricken area in the world. This provides the family with a means to make wool, as well as the possibility of milk.
Where are some good places to go for gift ideas?
The consumer culture has made it easy for people to let other people know what they want, so really it's not going to be too difficult to get gift ideas, especially for special occasions like weddings or the birth of a child. Many stores have gift registries where people participating in a celebration such as a wedding can register for the types of gifts they would like to receive. For example, a couple soon to be married can go into a store like Target or Bed, Bath and Beyond and register for household items that would be helpful as they start their life together. This registry or wish list process also helps to ensure that guests of the wedding don't buy too many of certain items. You only need so many coffeepots in a house! A number of consumer-oriented websites have similar tools. For example, Amazon.com will make suggestions about complementary items or other products you might view on the website.
Do gifts need to be bought?
No. Although some people expect you to spend money on them, it is always good to take time and make a creative gift for someone you love. This is a way to show them how much you care for them. Plus, you are giving something that is one of a kind. Certainly, there may be some stress involved when offering such a gift, considering that you have put so much of yourself into it. What if the other person doesn't appreciate it? Nevertheless, the gesture will mean a lot, and at least you can know that you tried. In the end, gift giving should be about the person to whom the gift is be given, not entirely about you, the gift giver, no matter how much as you may have put yourself into the gift!
What about religiously related gifts?
At some point in your life, you or your child may be invited to a religious celebration. For example, it has become common today in the United States for some Jewish families to celebrate bar or bat mitzvah. Interestingly enough, such celebrations have only become common in the past century-before that, they were nearly unheard of! The bar mitzvah is the celebration of a Jewish boy coming into adulthood at the age of 13. The bat mitzvah is for girls at the age of 12. It has become traditional for guests to bring gifts to the reception party. If you want to give the celebrant a gift related to his or her religion, be sure to know something about the person's faith. Usually, the gifts given are like any 12 or 13-year-old child's birthday party gift.
How long have birthdays been celebrated?
Birthdays have been celebrated for many years. The tradition began in Europe, where people believed evil spirits were more likely to harm a person on their birthday. To counteract this negative spiritual activity, good wishes were given to a person. As the tradition developed, other elements were added to birthday celebrations, from simple, deliberate kindness, to baking deserts and favorite meals. The advent of consumer culture created the tradition of gift giving on a birthday, especially seen at children's birthday parties where a child is showered with numerous toys and other consumer products. We can see the same happening at times with adults, especially at special birthday celebrations such as "Over the Hill" parties when someone turns 40 or 50.
Has Christmas always been about gift giving?
Yes and no. The Christian Bible tells that on the first Christmas, wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. This has become one of the bases for the exchange of gifts in modern Christmas celebrations. However, it is interesting to note that two of the gifts, frankincense and myrrh, were used in preparing a body for burial. These symbolisms are overlooked today with the commercialization of Christmas.
Today, especially in developed Western countries, people are encouraged to purchase gift upon gift for their friends and family. This is a relatively new tradition, dating only to the nineteenth century. However, figures now associated with Christmas gifts, such as Santa Claus, have been around for a few more centuries. So, has Christmas always been about gift giving? Yes, but originally it would have been a gift to God of religious devotion, not necessarily economy-boosting consumption.
What are the usual gifts for boys?
Today, gifts for children tend to be gender motivated. There are certain types of toys that little boys are often given in hopes that they will develop in a certain way. Many will receive toy cars or train sets due to the cultural perception that these things are masculine. Toys of this kind are early advertising for automobile companies for later in life-eventually that little boy is going to want a speedy sports car or an SUV that resembles the Tonka truck he played with as a child.
Boys might also receive various sports-related gifts, such as footballs or whiffle ball sets. These types of gifts are good because they encourage physical activity. In our society, physical activity among youth seems to be waning, and this may in part be due to the ever increasing electronic-based entertainment, such as video and computer games. Nonetheless, you can almost be sure that little boys will enjoy these types of gifts, especially because of their cultural conditioning.
What are the usual gifts for girls?
Like boys, girls are culturally conditioned for gifts according to their sex. Many girls will receive dolls such as a Barbie or an American Girl. A new type of doll on the market, Bratz, portrays teenage girls as cell-phone toting, shop-'til-you-drop consumers. With enough exposure to such products, little girls will begin to form a concept of what it means to be a girl in terms of looks and activities. Girls will often receive gifts about princesses, instilling a particular image of femininity.
Nonetheless, people have become aware that perhaps some of the gender assumptions about girls are untrue and unhealthy, so it is not a bad idea to purchase a girl something like a soccer ball. Anything to encourage a child to be physically active is good.
