| Gift giving has been an activity throughout human | | | | good wishes were given to a person. As the tradition |
| history. Gifts can have different meanings based on | | | | developed, other elements were added to birthday |
| the people involved or the occasion. Sometimes, it is | | | | celebrations, from simple, deliberate kindness, to baking |
| difficult to know what the right gift would be. With a | | | | deserts and favorite meals. The advent of consumer |
| general idea of the concept of gift giving, we hope to | | | | culture created the tradition of gift giving on a birthday, |
| give you a better understanding of what gifts are so | | | | especially seen at children's birthday parties where a |
| that you can come up with some great gift ideas for | | | | child is showered with numerous toys and other |
| the special people in your life. | | | | consumer products. We can see the same happening |
| What occasions and customs in the U.S. traditionally | | | | at times with adults, especially at special birthday |
| involve giving gifts or gift exchanges? | | | | celebrations such as "Over the Hill" parties when |
| A number of occasions and celebrations call for gifts. | | | | someone turns 40 or 50. |
| On a birthday, the person having the birthday receives | | | | Has Christmas always been about gift giving? |
| gifts, often including a cake or some sort of dessert. | | | | Yes and no. The Christian Bible tells that on the first |
| During the Christmas holidays, people often exchange | | | | Christmas, wise men brought gifts of gold, |
| gifts, sometimes receiving them supposedly from | | | | frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. This has |
| Santa Clause. At a wedding, the couple receives gifts, | | | | become one of the bases for the exchange of gifts in |
| usually for their home, and provides food and drinks at | | | | modern Christmas celebrations. However, it is |
| a wedding reception. On the solemn occasion of a | | | | interesting to note that two of the gifts, frankincense |
| funeral, visitors often bring flowers and the family of | | | | and myrrh, were used in preparing a body for burial. |
| the deceased gives refreshments. After a birth, the | | | | These symbolisms are overlooked today with the |
| parents receive gifts on behalf of the newborn child. | | | | commercialization of Christmas. |
| Students at an academic milestone such as a | | | | Today, especially in developed Western countries, |
| graduation often receive gifts in congratulations. On | | | | people are encouraged to purchase gift upon gift for |
| Father's and Mother's Day, parents receive gifts from | | | | their friends and family. This is a relatively new tradition, |
| their children. It is a tradition also for guests and hosts | | | | dating only to the nineteenth century. However, figures |
| to exchange gifts at parties. | | | | now associated with Christmas gifts, such as Santa |
| Where are some good places to go for gift ideas? | | | | Claus, have been around for a few more centuries. |
| The consumer culture has made it easy for people to | | | | So, has Christmas always been about gift giving? Yes, |
| let other people know what they want, so really it's not | | | | but originally it would have been a gift to God of |
| going to be too difficult to get gift ideas, especially for | | | | religious devotion, not necessarily economy-boosting |
| special occasions like weddings or the birth of a child. | | | | consumption. |
| Many stores have gift registries where people | | | | What about shopping on the Internet? |
| participating in a celebration such as a wedding can | | | | The Internet is a very useful resource for finding gifts |
| register for the types of gifts they would like to | | | | for friends and family members. It has become one of |
| receive. For example, a couple soon to be married can | | | | the central places of retail, and minus the wait for |
| go into a store like Target or Bed, Bath and Beyond | | | | shipping, it tends to be less stressful than going to a |
| and register for household items that would be helpful | | | | shopping center. You may be only a few clicks away |
| as they start their life together. This registry or wish list | | | | from finding the perfect gift for someone. You can |
| process also helps to ensure that guests of the | | | | even send an email asking what the person would like |
| wedding don't buy too many of certain items. You only | | | | and just copy and paste the response into a Google |
| need so many coffeepots in a house! A number of | | | | search to find the item. Some Internet-based shops will |
| consumer-oriented websites have similar tools. For | | | | even send the gift directly to the recipient and possibly |
| example, will make suggestions about complementary | | | | wrap it for you (for a fee, of course!). |
| items or other products you might view on the | | | | Be sure when purchasing a gift online that the website |
| website. | | | | is secure, because you will have to use a credit card. |
| How long have birthdays been celebrated? | | | | For as wonderful as gift giving can be, remember that |
| Birthdays have been celebrated for many years. The | | | | being with someone in person is the greatest gift of all. |
| tradition began in Europe, where people believed evil | | | | Gifts don't always have to be purchased. You just |
| spirits were more likely to harm a person on their | | | | might be the gift someone needs. |
| birthday. To counteract this negative spiritual activity, | | | | |