| gifts offers far more to the giver than to the one | | | | automatic response from long, long ago urging you to |
| receiving. Look into how the custom originated and | | | | comply and give back. |
| how you can use it: Enliven your holiday — and | | | | Do you address labels in the mail — asking for a |
| initiate gratitude and prosperity. | | | | donation? Or accept a tasting sample in the grocery |
| 1. Giving gifts did not begin with Hallmark or | | | | store and then buy the product? Have you received a |
| Macy’s. | | | | small gift, or a great deal to purchase an item - and |
| Gift giving is an ancient tradition practiced by emperors, | | | | then been asked to buy more? |
| chiefs, and heads of state. The exchange of presents | | | | The promoters are not at fault — it’s |
| between leaders was customary even in tribal times. | | | | their job to sell their products — and this |
| Gifts also marked rites of passage and | | | | unconscious habit works. Why not use it? It’s up |
| accomplishments. Most celebrate birthdays, marriages, | | | | to you — and the public — to wake up |
| births and deaths with gifts and gathering together. | | | | and make a conscious decision, such as: I |
| Everyone knew that the power of giving a gift or | | | | don’t need to reciprocate for unasked for gifts, |
| talent brought good fortune back to them. | | | | or for a con. I can enjoy the gift, and just say, |
| 2. Gifting is an ancient social custom and genetic | | | | no.’ |
| pattern. In early times cooperation was necessary for | | | | 5. The benefits of gift giving: Receiving back more than |
| survival. If someone was helped, and didn’t | | | | you give is automatic. Use the same response the |
| return favors, soon the spirit of cooperation would die | | | | wealthy use to generate good will, build your |
| out — making life hard, if not impossible, to | | | | self-esteem and extend the spirit of cooperation. Your |
| survive. Over time, reciprocating became a | | | | attracting power opens up possibilities and inspires you. |
| social condition or habit, and was reinforced by tribal | | | | Gifting is a Win-Win situation! |
| authorities. | | | | Those that can’t afford it or |
| Giving gifts and reciprocating is in your genetic history, | | | | don’t have the time or forgot are |
| evident in all cultures, and it influences exchanges of | | | | resonating and attracting back to themselves — |
| every kind. Co-operation builds relationships and | | | | more experiences of not having enough. |
| communities, and in the right spirit, it is beneficial. | | | | Don’t do that. |
| Cooperation makes life fun, doesn’t it? | | | | Giving and receiving are the same. As you give |
| Receiving gifts and exchanging talents feels great. | | | | — you feel and resonate - having more than |
| 3. Winter Solstice celebrations have many different | | | | enough and feelings of sharing and loving. |
| names around the world. December is the month of | | | | The one receiving resonates back gratitude to |
| the year most cultures exchange gifts. The natural | | | | you. Even small gifts open your heart and warm your |
| cycle of the sun and changing seasons is ancient and | | | | spirit — and the receiver too. Soon you’re |
| marked in stone (Stone Henge, Great Pyramid, Mayan | | | | attracting more experiences you appreciate. Soon |
| Temples, to name a few.) The Winter Solstice (about | | | | it’s a vicious cycle of finding more and more fun |
| December 21st) is the — longest night, shortest | | | | stuff to be grateful for. |
| day. It is the return of the light - the point that the | | | | Give small gifts that show you care and do it with no |
| sun turns and days become longer, and nights | | | | thought of return. Your attitude sets the tone, and the |
| shorter. Historically it is the most celebrated time of | | | | spirit of giving will continue to be exchanged in many |
| year. | | | | new ways. Others are inspired to do the same |
| 4. Misusing the Gift Giving custom. Does gifting | | | | — and do so unconsciously — making |
| make you feel uncomfortable? Here’s why. All | | | | their lives and relationships better too. |
| human behavior is genetic: Patterns from long ago still | | | | A great side benefit is that gifting motivates you |
| control life for most people. Studies show that 90% of | | | | automatically (subconscious response) - and |
| the population simply follow others or old subconscious | | | | effortlessly — to continue giving and feeling |
| habits, and do not make decisions for themselves. | | | | appreciation. Feelings are your signal that |
| Giving gifts and reciprocating is one such social | | | | attracts abundance into your life. The better it |
| patterns (there are many.) | | | | gets
the better it gets. |
| Psychology and Marketing Pros Use the pattern of | | | | Tis the season of appreciation — people all |
| giving a gift and reciprocating to trigger an | | | | over the planet are exchanging gifts. Enjoy it and |
| auto-response from an unsuspecting public. You may | | | | expand it. Practice random acts of kindness and |
| feel guilty or annoyed when someone gives you a gift, | | | | generosity. |
| and you do not have an exchange. That’s an | | | | |