| ractice of gift giving dates way, way back from | | | | and age, human beings have |
| the biblical times and even earlier. It has become | | | | “created” all sorts of reasons to |
| part of person-to-person dealings throughout the | | | | give each other gifts. This is mostly for the |
| centuries. Even then, gift giving was considered a | | | | purpose of creating more business. It is therefore |
| gesture of good faith. They come in the form of | | | | not surprising to note that stores resort to all |
| mostly substantial items such as money, wares, | | | | sorts of marketing schemes and gimmickry such |
| produce, beautiful pieces of art, and sometimes, | | | | as holding special sales around these dates to |
| goodwill and friendship. | | | | attract more people to check out their |
| Although some are genuinely pleased about the | | | | merchandise. They also promote particular types |
| idea of doing others a favor without expecting | | | | of goods to suit the occasion. |
| anything in return, most instances of gift giving | | | | In gift giving, a giver must consider several things. |
| issue forth a semblance of, respect, authority, | | | | One must take into account the occasion, the |
| societal status. This is also occasionally even the | | | | receiver’s preference, the message that |
| love of somebody adored. During the biblical | | | | the giver wants to convey to the receiver, and |
| times, gift giving was seen as a form of sacrifice. | | | | the giver’s budget. |
| Gift giving has evolved so much through the | | | | In the world today, people have become so |
| centuries to include rules on etiquette and other | | | | obsessed about brands and status so much so |
| complexities. Most cultures even have their own | | | | that they concern themselves too much about |
| sets of “rules” with regard to gift | | | | these minor details. Some would feel disappointed |
| giving. The usual occasions that people are | | | | and even take it against the giver if they feel |
| expected to give or receive gifts include | | | | they have received something less than what |
| weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, | | | | they deserve. This is more on the part of the |
| Father’s day, Mother’s Day, | | | | receiver more than the giver. Givers, on the |
| Valentine’s Day, Christmas and a whole | | | | other hand, sometimes expect something in |
| lot more. | | | | return. All these are beside the point. |
| Every so often, people hold celebrations for all | | | | There are those who feel that it is such a financial |
| sorts of causes. This is apart from the usual | | | | burden to give somebody a gift. One simply |
| occasions where people give out or receive | | | | needs to think outside the box as there are some |
| presents. These range from some of the most | | | | clever and innovative gift ideas. There are a lot of |
| significant such as the birth of a national hero to | | | | bright gift ideas that would not make a significant |
| something as frivolous and mundane as a favorite | | | | dent out of one’s bank account that |
| food. Some good examples are that the third | | | | friends will appreciate. |
| Monday of February is Washington’s | | | | In spite of everything, it is important for both |
| birthday or President’s day and July is | | | | parties to set aside all motives and remember the |
| known as Blueberries Month. | | | | real essence of gift giving. Gift giving, after all, is a |
| The occasions that we celebrate nowadays are all | | | | symbol of friendship, love, and goodwill. |
| “ inventions” of men. In this day | | | | |