Gift

For other uses of "Gift", see Gift (disambiguation).

"Presents" redirects here. For the 10 Foot Ganja Plant album, see Presents (album).

Gifts under a Christmas tree

A gift or a present is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return. Although gift-giving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, a gift is meant to be free. In many human societies, the act of mutually exchanging money, goods, etc. may 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 anything that makes the other happier or less sad, especially as a favor, including forgiveness and kindness.

Presentation

Traditional envelope containing money as a gift, from Japan

When material objects are given as gifts, in many cultures they are traditionally packaged in some manner. For example, in Western culture, 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.

Occasions

"Christmas present" redirects here. For the album by Andy Williams, see Christmas Present (album).

The occasion may be:

• Expression of love (Valentine's Day) or friendship.
• Expression of gratitude for a gift received.
• Expression of piety, in the form of charity.
• 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) This is most commonly from a family member or girlfriend/boyfriend.
  • A potlatch, in societies where status is associated with gift-giving rather than acquisition.
  • Christmas (People give one another gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Santa Claus.)
  • Saint Nicholas (People give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Saint Nicholas.)
  • 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.)
  • Exchange of gifts between a guest and a host, often a traditional practice.
  • Lagniappe.
  • Retirement Gifts
  • Congratulations Gifts
  • Engagement Gifts
  • Wedding Gifts
  • Anniversary Gifts
  • Birthday Gifts
  • House Warming Day Gifts
  • New Baby Gifts

Legal aspects of gifts

Main articles: Gift (law) and Gift tax

At common law, for a gift to have legal effect, it was required that there be (1) intent by the donor to give a gift, and (2) delivery to the recipient of the item to be given as a gift.

In some countries, certain types of gifts above a certain monetary amount are subject to taxation. For the United States, see Gift tax in the United States.

Religious views

Lewis Hyde remarks in The Gift that Christianity considers the Incarnation and subsequent death of Jesus to be the greatest gift to humankind, and that the Jataka contains a tale of the Buddha in his incarnation as the Wise Hare giving the ultimate alms by offering himself up as a meal for Sakka. (Hyde, 1983, 58-60)

In the Eastern Orthodox Church the bread and wine that are consecrated during the Divine Liturgy are referred to as "the Gifts." They are first of all the gifts of the community (both individually and corporately) to God, and then, after the epiklesis, the Gifts of the Body and Blood of Christ to the Church.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition God is seen as the source and giver of all good things: But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 1 Chronicles 29:14 New Living Tradition (NLT). Life on earth is considered one of God’s gifts: And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NLT).

In the Christian tradition Jesus is seen as a gift of God, For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT) The Holy Spirit is also seen as a gift of God: Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NLT). Eternal life is considered one of God’s gifts to believers: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NLT)

God also is seen as giving all people spiritual gifts to enrich their lives, help others, and to build up the church: However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 (NLT).

Ritual sacrifices can be seen as return gifts to a deity.

See also

Alms Altruism Atonement Charity (practice)            Debt relief Gift (law) Gift tax Gift wrapping

Giving Circles Green Gifting Friend gift Random act of kindness Red packet Regiving Xenia (Greek)

Further reading

• Marcel Mauss and W.D. Halls, Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies, W. W. Norton, 2000, trade paperback, ISBN 0-393-32043-X
• Lewis Hyde: The Gift: Imagination and the Erotic Life of Property, 1983 (ISBN 0-394-71519-5), especially part I, "A Theory of Gifts", part of which was originally published as "The Gift Must Always Move" in Co-Evolution Quarterly No. 35, Fall 1982.
• Jean-Luc Marion translated by Jeffrey L. Kosky, "Being Given: Toward a Phenomenology of Giveness", Stanford University Press, 2002 by the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN 0-8047-3410-0.