A gift, also known as a present, is an item given to someone without the expectation of payment or anything in return. In many countries, the act of mutually exchanging money, goods, etc., may sustain social relationships and contribute to social cohesion. Economists have elaborated the economics of gift-giving into the notion of a gift economy. By extension, the term gift can refer to any item or act of service that makes the other happier or less sad, especially as a favor, including forgiveness and kindness. Gifts are often presented on occasions such as birthdays and holidays.
History The history of gift-giving is a longstanding human tradition that predates recorded history. The practice has evolved across different cultures and eras, serving various purposes ranging from expressions of love and respect to political allegiance and social obligation. Gift-giving has been documented in archaeological records, ancient literature, religious texts, and historical accounts. Gift-giving has played a central role in social and economic systems throughout human history. Anthropologist Marcel Mauss argued in The Gift that early archaic society presented gifts in many forms (banquets, rituals, women, festivals) in an act of obligatory politeness in a system of 'total services'.
Archaeological evidence suggests that gift-giving existed among early hominins. Anthropologists believe that the exchange of items, such as tools, food, and ornamental objects, played a role in social bonding and the establishment of alliances among hunter-gatherer communities.Mauss, Marcel (1954). The Gift: Forms and Functions of Exchange in Archaic Societies. London: Cohen & West. For example, the Khoisan people of southern Africa practiced gift exchange as part of social interaction and conflict avoidance mechanisms.Barnard, Alan (2002). Hunter-Gatherers in History, Archaeology and Anthropology. Oxford: Berg.
Ancient In Ancient Egypt, kings, nobles, and many officers of state gave metal statues and deities for devotional purposes and as offerings to temples and shrines. Normal visitors to these sacred places would give out perishable items including food, drinks or flowers before the development of mass-produced metal casting which helped increase more wealthy donations. Similarly, in Mesopotamian and Sumerian societies, gifts played a role in diplomacy and religious offerings. Kings exchanged gifts to reinforce alliances and display wealth.Oppenheim, A. Leo (1964). Ancient Mesopotamia: Portrait of a Dead Civilization. University of Chicago Press.
In ancient Greece and Rome, gift-giving was integral to social and political life. The practice was governed by social norms and expectations, often involving reciprocal obligations. The Roman concept of donum (gift) extended to both personal and state affairs, including patron-client relationships, religious donations, and diplomatic exchanges.Finley, M.I. (1999). The Ancient Economy. University of California Press.
In Homeric epics such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, the giving of gifts, such as weapons, garments, and livestock, was portrayed as a mark of honor and friendship.Homer. The Iliad and The Odyssey. Various editions. Greek city-states also exchanged ceremonial gifts during festivals and religious observances.
In the Achaemenid Empire, a complex system of gifting existed particularly inside the satrapy. Through public gift-giving, the king or satraps showed honour to subjects, stirred up competition, and created an obligation of loyalty. Xenophon in Cyropaedia says of Cyrus the Great, "He sent food around also to those in whom he was pleased... If he wished that any of his friends be courted by large numbers, he sent from his table to them as well. And still even now, all court more those to whom they see things sent from the table of the king, believing that they are the ones in honor... It seemed to him to be good to make clear the way he honored each because of this: Wherever human beings think that the one who is best will neither be heralded nor receive prizes, here it is clear that they are not competitively disposed toward each other. Yet wherever the best person is especially evident in getting the advantage, here all are also evident contending with the greatest enthusiasm." This public gifting of food, and other goods, created competition and helped legitimise the kings power. It also created an obligation for the recipient to return a counter-gift of greater value, and so kings would give gifts of such great value that the recipient could not meet their obligation and was thus forced into loyalty.
Medieval During the Middle Ages in Europe, gift-giving was closely tied to feudal obligations, religious observances, and courtly traditions. Nobles presented gifts to their monarchs as a sign of loyalty, while monarchs rewarded their vassals with land and titles.Duby, Georges (1980). The Three Orders: Feudal Society Imagined. University of Chicago Press. The Christian Church promoted charitable giving, especially during religious festivals such as Christmas and Easter, which later influenced the development of holiday gifting traditions.Bowler, Gerry (2016). Christmas in the Crosshairs: Two Thousand Years of Denouncing and Defending the World's Most Celebrated Holiday. Oxford University Press. In Islamic cultures, gift-giving (hiba) was also significant, both as a religious act and as a practice in hospitality. The Qur'an and Hadith literature encourage believers to give generously to others, particularly the needy and travelers.Rahman, Fazlur (1980). Major Themes of the Qur'an. University of Chicago Press. In the 760s, Bregowin (archbishop of Canterbury) gave a bone casket to Lul (the bishop of Mainz). This was the only known instance of gift-giving between 8th-century missionaries. Donations to monasteries in medieval Europe peaked between the 9th and 12th centuries. Eventually, people began to explain this by claiming that monks or other holy people contributed disproportionately to a "treasure of merit". By the Renaissance and early modern era, gift-giving in Europe expanded among the merchant and upper classes. The rise of personal letters and tokens, including jewelry and manuscripts, became popular among the literate elite. In royal courts, the exchange of luxury gifts was part of diplomatic protocol.Strong, Roy (1984). Art and Power: Renaissance Festivals 1450–1650. Boydell & Brewer.
In China, Confucian teachings emphasized the importance of li (ritual propriety), which included the appropriate giving and receiving of gifts. Elaborate ceremonies and strict etiquette governed imperial gift exchanges and family rituals.Ebrey, Patricia Buckley (2003). Women and the Family in Chinese History. Routledge.
In sixteenth and seventeenth century France, gift-giving was often patronage in disguise. This was hidden by terms like grâces, bonté, and bienveillance. Sometimes actual gifts were given with patron-client letters. These often included money, hunting birds, food, and cloth, and occasionally messengers as well.
Modern The Industrial Revolution significantly transformed gift-giving by introducing mass production and consumer goods. With increased accessibility and affordability, gift-giving became more widespread across socioeconomic classes. The emergence of department stores and catalogs in the 19th century, especially in Western Europe and North America, facilitated the commercial aspect of gifting.Cross, Gary S. (1993). Time and Money: The Making of Consumer Culture. Routledge.
Holiday gift-giving became institutionalized with events such as Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day. Influenced by Victorian customs and Christian traditions, Christmas became a major gift-exchange occasion, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.Restad, Penne L. (1995). Christmas in America: A History. Oxford University Press.
Gift-giving during Christmas celebrations in the U.S. began in the early 19th century, initially in the Mid-Atlantic region. This kind of celebration was Northern European and had its roots in Lutheran theology. During this era, gifts were usually small and handmade.
In the late 19th century, U.S. Christmas celebrations began to grow in scale, with more manufacturing of goods. As early as 1880, the country's businesspeople had begun taking advantage of the holiday to sell more.
In Japan, Valentine's Day gift giving was introduced by Morozoff Ltd. in 1936, and initially targeted foreigners living near Kobe. The holiday was then reintroduced in the 1950s, but was not popular. It only became popular in the 1970s, when it was framed as a time for women to give gifts to men. To fix the gender imbalance, White Day was introduced for the men to give back to women. The typical gift on Valentine's Day in Japan is giri choko ("obligation chocolate"). Typical gifts on White Day include chocolate, jewelry, and clothes.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, globalized commerce, advertising, and cultural exchange have further diversified gift-giving practices. The expansion of e-commerce and digital platforms has introduced new forms of gifting, such as electronic gift cards and subscription services.Belk, Russell W. (2007). Consumer Culture Theory. Emerald Group Publishing.
Presentation In many cultures gifts are traditionally packaged in some way. For example, in Western cultures, gifts are often wrapped in wrapping paper and accompanied by a gift note which may note the occasion, the recipient's name and the giver's name. In Chinese culture, red wrapping connotes luck. Although inexpensive gifts are common among colleagues, associates and acquaintances, expensive or amorous gifts are considered more appropriate among close friends, romantic interests or relatives.
Gift-giving occasions
Gift-giving occasions may be: An expression of love or friendship An expression of gratitude for a gift received. An expression of piety, in the form of charity. An expression of solidarity, in the form of mutual aid. To share wealth. To offset misfortune. Offering travel souvenirs. Custom, on occasions (often celebrations) such as A birthday (the person who has his or her birthday gives cake, etc. and/or receives gifts). A potlatch, in societies where status is associated with gift-giving rather than acquisition. Christmas (throughout the history of Christmas gift giving, people have given one another gifts, often pretending they are left by Santa Claus, the Christ Child or Saint Nicholas). Feast of Saint Nicholas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Saint Nicholas). Easter baskets with chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and chocolate rabbits are gifts given on Easter. Greek Orthodox Christians in Greece, will give gifts to family and friends on the Feast of Saint Basil. Muslims give gifts to family and friends, known as eidiyah (in Arabic-speaking countries) or eidi (in Iran and South Asia), on Eid al-Fitr (the end of Ramadan) and on Eid al-Adha. American Jews give Hanukkah gifts to family and friends. Hindus give Diwali and Pongal gifts to family and friends. Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is another occasion where brothers give gifts to sisters. Buddhists give Vesak gifts to family and friends. Gifts are given to among African American families and friends on Kwanzaa. A wedding (the couple receives gifts and gives food and/or drinks at the wedding reception). A wedding anniversary (each spouse receives gifts). A funeral (visitors bring flowers, the relatives of the deceased give food and/or drinks after the ceremonial part). A birth (the baby receives gifts, or the mother receives a gift from the father known as a push present). Passing an examination (the student receives gifts). Father's Day (the father receives gifts). Mother's Day (the mother receives gifts). Siblings Day (the sibling receives gifts)