A gift or present is the transfer of something, without the need for compensation that is involved in trade. A gift is a voluntary act which does not require anything in return. Even though it involves possibly a social expectation of reciprocity, or a return in the form of prestige or power, 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 more happy or less sad, especially as a favour, including forgiveness and kindness (even when the other is not kind).
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 giftee's name, and the giver's name. In Chinese culture, red wrapping connotes luck.
The occasion may be:
- Expression of love 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)
- A potlatch, in societies where status is associated with gift-giving rather than acquisition.
- Christmas (people give each other 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)
- 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
- Giving a round of drinks in a bar.
- Lagniappe
