A gift or a present is an item given to someone without the expectation of payment or anything

in return. An item is not a gift if that item is already owned by the one to whom it is given.
Although gift-giving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, a gift is meant to be free. In many
countries, the act of mutually exchanging money, goods, etc. may sustain social relations 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 also first and foremost presented on occasions such as birthdays and holidays.

Contents

• 1Presentation
• 2Gift-giving occasions
• 3Promotional gifts
• 4As reinforcement and manipulation
• 5Unwanted gifts
• 6Legal aspects
• 7Religious views
• 8See also
• 9References
• 10Further reading

Presentation[edit]
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.[1]

Gift-giving occasions[edit]
Gift-giving occasions may be:

• An expression of coronation event recognition personal coronation gift presented by the

newly crowned monarch to the official coronation guest by the court protocol for level
• An expression of coronation acknowledgement for national event Official coronation gift,
Royal or Imperial commissioned by the coronation commission presented to the newly
crowned monarch, as personal memento.
• 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
o A birthday (the person who has his or her birthday gives cake, etc. and/or receives gifts).
o A potlatch, in societies where status is associated with gift-giving rather than acquisition.
o 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).
o Feast of Saint Nicholas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them
from Saint Nicholas).
o Easter baskets with chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and chocolate rabbits are gifts given
on Easter.
o Greek Orthodox Christians in Greece, will give gifts to family and friends on the Feast
of Saint Basil.
o Muslims give gifts to family and friends, known as Eidi, on Eid al-Fitr (the end
of Ramadan) and on Eid al-Adha.
o American Jews give Hanukkah gifts to family and friends.
o Hindus give Diwali and Pongal gifts to family and friends.
o Buddhists give Vesak gifts to family and friends.