Haven't you ever stopped to think about the origin of the gift giving ritual? While you may think that gift giving isn't really that big of a deal, there is a great deal of history behind this that most people don't even really think about. The term refers to an object given from one person to another person, with regards to increasing the amount of happiness in their life, or just decreasing the amount of sadness. This includes special days, special occasions, and just times when a person might need a lift.
Since the dawn of time people have been giving presents. People in early civilizations gave to their tribal leaders and each other to show loyalty and love. They used bark and wood from the trees, and reeds to fashion unique objects. The Roman practice of presenting the Emperor, and each other was with good luck tokens. They received presents in order to procure favor and to demonstrate allegiance, a practice still in place today. In Egypt, idols and pyramids were built to honor the pharaohs. In the medieval age, they were given to kings to gain personal favor or allegiance in a war. Most were silver, gold and jewels: chalices, medallions, statues, and other articles. They were also given to a beloved one or used as dowries for bethrothals, which could include a herd of animals, or precious metals and jewelry.
Today we give for a myriad of reasons. Presents are given at cultural religious occasions for brithdays, holidays, farewells, good luck, to show love, to say thank you, to welcome, and "just because". We give presents to family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors and the selection may include jewelry, gift baskets, toys, clothes, food, certificates, flowers and plants. Sometimes they are intangible; children give their parents coupons for yard cleanup, dish washing, cleaning the house and other chores they might not ordinarily perform. Time is given to our family, friends, and neighbors when they need help. We volunteer our time to various charitable organizations and every so often, we give only because it is time to give a present to someone.
Receiving is part of this process and giving makes the giver feel good. Making someone else's life richer rewards the giver with a feeling of achievement and caring especially if the recipient shows gratitude and appreciation. Receiving is as important in this reciprocal practice as giving.
It has symbolic meaning in nearly every culture from all corners of the globe for as long as mankind has existed. From the first time a father gave his child a carved doll to the gold ring given to a bride, gift giving symbolizes many things: love, respect, sympathy, flattery and appreciation.
This has become a time-honored tradition that seems to become more deeply rooted with time. Gift giving will always touch our hearts ina very special way.
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