Introduction

The concept of giving or receiving gifts is highly universal. Even though people
hardly think or wonder why gifts are exchanged, gifts by their very nature, one of the most
interestingly common object that we find across different cultures.

Gift in law is a voluntary transfer of property from one person to another, without
any compensation for it, and without any obligation of an agreement or contract. To dig a
bit deeper, we can refer to gifts as something, the possession of which and transferred to
another without the exception or receipt of an equivalent.

The two major actions performed with gifts involve its exchange from one party to
another giving and receiving gifts. These two actions are strongly correlated with the
motivation involved in exchanging gifts is a voluntary transfer of property, it mentally
involves logical, emotional, social, personal, or traditional reasons and values. To better
understand the concern of exchanging gifts, we need to understand motivation. Motivtion
is a goal- directed behavior. Some human activity can be best explained by postulating an
inner directing device. A device could well be an innate biological mechanism that
determines our activity. When motivation is taken under consideration, the view mentality,
and bias of individuals comes into focus. The analyses of motivations shows what exists
inside ourselves-our rudeness, honesty, sincerety, integrity, greed, love, affection and so on.

The motivation for offering gifts might show how generous or considerable person
is, but at the same time it would also be an evidence of a person selfishness or narrow
mindness. It almost covers a person in a good or bad portfolio. In short, exchanging cover
some sides of the human nature.

Objective and Methodology of Research

This report has been facilitated with a research, which constituted better primary
and secondary data collection. For the primary data, questionnaire comprising eight
questions were prepared which dealt with the institution factors that induce people toward
giving and receiving gifts. For secondary data, various Internet web sites were searched.
Hence this reports has not only been wanted to responses of the people being surveyed, but
has extended by discussing the historical impacts and cross-cultural considerations relating
to the concepts of exchanging gifts.

The primary reason for selecting such a topic was to find out what people think
about gifts. Ours is a synthetic society. The lifestyle, living norms, thoughts and feelings
are mostly synthetic or artificial. Our point or inquiry is that whether the concept of gifts is
a just a social formality, a confused action being performed, Our point of focus is to derive
what people think, in todays world about the plan or expectations of a gift.
Ancient Gift Giving Thoughts

The concept of exchanging gifts started centuries back.

Although it is not clear when and how specifically started, what we know for certain is that
the concept appeared from the need to give something special to the rich the kings,
queens, lords and the barons .In that regard we could argue that gifts in ancient times
where more like a tax, levy, or both given periodically to earn satisfaction of the powerful.
Gifts were, however, also exchanged on birthdays, marriage days, ceremonies,
anniversaries, and so on. In fact, the concept like rich-poor, master-servant developed as
early as four thousand years ago, which also initiated the custom that one gives wealth to
the wealthy and keeps their flow of rich, power, and dominance. Hence gifted were offered
to the powerful, to the dominant. The gifts received were used to run empires, states, and
maintain the expenses. Since this was a collectively mandatory trend, what motivated such
gift giving and not very clear . But it was undoubtedly a symbol of obedience and gratitude
towards the higher authority. In course of time, cultural significance and sound and cultural
viewpoints towards exchanging gifts have changed. Today, gift giving has become a part of
sound life as well as an art.

Culture and Gift Giving Thoughts

Gift giving is a prevalent social custom in China in all works of life. In family and
in significant relationships, in dealing with political authority, social institutions and
business people. Because of that, from an ethical perspective, it is very difficult to know
when it is proper too exchange a gift, what sort of gift is appropriate, or what social
obligation gift giving imposes.

Gift giving to another individual is a means of expressing respect and honor. Gifts
express good will and gratitude, and in many ways can be considered a dynamic form of
'social contracting'. In dealing withes a Chinese delegation, into leader should review a
better gift that the subordinates. One often must proceed by trial and error; however,
exchanging equivalent gifts is not a bad rule of thumb a meal for a meal, a pen for a pen,
etc. To avoid bribery, it is important to focus upon whether, through the gift, one is asking
one party or other to engage in behavior that is not an integral or legitimate part of the set
of transactions at hand, which is the cause of the meeting in the first place. A social custom
such as gift giving expresses deeper socially embraced behavioral ideas and norms of
mutuality between people. Proper social knowledge represents the ability to align
behavioral patters with cultural logic.

Occasions for Giving Gifts

These days many events arise during the year which can initiate us to other gifts-
birthdays, ceremonies, anniversaries, mothers' day, fathers' day, friendship's day, valentine's
day, etc. These trends of exchanging gifts are sometimes a tradition an expression of
feelings and unsaid words. If we were asked to classify the occasions of gift giving to the
reasons of giving, they would form the following successive.

Ceremonies (birthdays, marriages, get together, etc): to wish future happiness and
prosperity.

Congratulating To encourage and appreciate for audacious efforts.

Days (mothers' day, fathers' day, friendship day, valentine's day, etc ): to show care and
develop the existing relation.

No specific occasion When occasions are the needed to express feelings.

Planning the Gift

Whatever the occasion might be, the giver usually takes much effort is planning and
designing the gifts. Cultural pressures, attempts to meet expectations, or perhaps simply a
desire to be loved by others can be powerful motivations to spend beyond our means.
However, before we go to the shop to select a gift, we should consider the bellowing:
(i) Take control of your spending: We must keep in mind our budget, as well as the
expectations of these to whom we offer our gifts. The occasion also plays a significant role
in deciding whether our gifts would be too expensive or not. God does love a cheerful
giver, but we must give, as we love made up our minds not under compulsion.

(ii) Use the plan your gift giving guide: We must not look at catalogues or go window-
shopping for gift ideas. Instead, we can begin by thinking about the person to whom we
want to give. We must think about the message we would like for our gift to communicate.
The best gifts are the ones that share our time and talents; the ones that truly expresses the
love and commitment we have made to the family, friends, and our community.

(iii) Consider the values gift bring: the gift we share say something about the values we
hold dear. We must consider what we are trying to say to the ones we offer our gifts. The
best method is to use our value judgments by positioning ourselves in place of the ones we
are giving our gift. Obviously, one cannot always give the same sort of gifts to their parents
as they may give to their spouses.

(iv) Do not let your hearts be troubled: We can make a list of the things about gift giving
that we find frustrating or troubling. We can give our own conscience time to be heard. We
can consider ways we can bring comfort to ourselves.

(v) Share with others: We can discuss our feelings with household members and friends.
We can look for other people in our community who wants to rectify their gift giving
habits.

Analysis of the Research Questionnaire

Following is the analysis of the set of questions that the respondents were requested
to answer in the questionnaire. For this section, the reader can follow the Appendix, where
the responses to the research questions have been represented with visual aids.

Ques # 1 Why do you give gifts?

Q1 Why do you give gifts?

Everyone else is giving, to be in flow 2 6%

It is a custom, I follow it 10 30%

In expectation of something in return 1 3%

I want to express something 17 52%

I never think why I . 3 10%

According to the research responses, more than half of the respondents (17 out of 33)
replied that they offer gifts because they want to express something through it. The biggest
minor group says they follow it is a custom (10 respondents), may be they do not give gifts
willingly from their hearts, or they are bounded by the custom. The other minor groups
respond that gift is expectation of something in return o r an investment, or it is a matter to
be in the flow. Only 10% never think why they do so, this is either they are very much
assorted with the culture or they do it whimsically following others. (Please follow the
Appendix Table I, fig. no.1)

Ques # 2 On what occasions do you give gifts?

Q2. On what occasions do you give gifts?

Ceremonies: 11 25%
Congratulating 11 25%
Days: 6 14%
Whenever I feel
like: 16 36%

Most of the respondents replied that the occasion on which they give gifts is not
fixed. It could be anytime, any day, anywhere. The other occasions of ceremonies
congratulations, and days (fathers day, mothers day, friendship day, valentines day etc)
have 25%, 25%, 14% respectively. So gifts are given merrily whenever people fell like.
(Please follow the Appendix Table II, fig. no. 2)

Ques # 3 What sort of gift do you enjoy giving most?

Q3 What sort of gift do you enjoy giving most?
books/cards 3 10%
flowers 2 9%
things of the giver's choice 7 9%
things of the receiver's choice 4 9%
things of receiver's necessity 5 9%
anything nice 9 9%

In the case of what people love to get most, people love to get anything nice
according to a third of the respondents. People also like to get specifically flowers, or like
their givers choice, have strong insistence of their choice, or their necessity respectively at
the rates 7%, 7%, 13%, 17%. This indicates that gift giving is changing from art to reality,
as many people give things of necessity. Flowers, cards, books are always granted as the
best giving type and even though the percentages are small, they are collectively high and
very prominent. (Please follow the Appendix Table III, fig. no. 3)

Ques # 4 What do you focus mostly on, when you plan for a gift?
Q4 What do you focus mostly on, when you plan for a gift?
occasion 4 13%
relation 23 77%
budget 2 7%
expectation of the receiver for the gift 1 3%
 The most crucial point is the focus in planning a gift. It is a very common thinking
that the money or the budget factor is the most important. But according to the survey,
more than of the people said the focus is the relationship while they plan gift. So the
most concern is whom one is planning to give the gift. Only 13% said that they consider
the occasion, where as 7% and 3% said they focus on budget and the expectation. (Please
follow the Appendix Table IV, fig. no. 4)

Ques # 5 What do you do when you receive a very expensive gift?

Q5
think critically
develop the relation
prioritize giving not the gift
plan for what to give in
return
What do you do when you get an very expensive gift?
6 20%
3 10%
15 50%
6 20%

If someone gets a very expensive gift it is sure to think or twist it a little. But now
only half of them, 15 out of 30 said they care the giving, gift is not important. 6 think
critically and have practical bias. Another 6 think it more business way, they start planning
to give something in return. And only 3 develop the relation, they are price oriented.
(Please follow the Appendix Table V, fig. no. 5)

Ques # 6 Do you accept gifts from strangers?

Do you accept gifts from unknown people?

Yes 6 20%
No 9 30%
Depends on
15
situation 50%
People who take things from strangers are benefit oriented. Cautious and alert
people, 6 out of 30 do not like strangers offering gifts. However, 15 people say it depends
on situation. This includes trials and free packs, from companies. So, we can interpret that
people do not take gifts from known people bearing some motivation. Taking a gift can be
the honor reply that the giver gives us. But people do take from unknowns. It is not
terrifying! (Please follow the Appendix Table VI, fig. no.6)

Ques # 7 What are the most pleasant gifts?

Q7 What are the most pleasant gifts?

books or cards 5 16%
 Flower 1 3%
things of their choice 5 17%
anything nice 19 64%

Since most people are picky in the case of gift giving, they are comparatively much
reluctant in the case of receiving gifts. More than 50% people say they love getting
anything nice. But other 36% people have their choices. And 16% of them argue for books
and cards, traditionally. Only 3% ask for flowers but surprisingly 17% people ask for gifts
of the givers choice. May be, they want to make the giver equally happy as them getting a
gift. (Please follow the Appendix Table VII, fig. no. 7)

Ques # 8 Are you disheartened when you expect a gift and do not receive one?

Q8 Are you disheartened when you expect a gift and dont get one
always 1 3
sometimes 12 40
often 4 13
never 13 44

True! People have expectations for gifts, but it is not easy to admit it. Hence 12 people
responded that they do get hurt sometimes. 4 people said often, where 1 person said
always, which is rather genuineness. This kind of confession is appreciating.13 people said
they never bother about it. (Please follow the Appendix Table VIII, fig. no. 8)

Recommendations for Successful Gift Giving

After analyzing the feedbacks from the questionnaire, we recommend that a gift
giver should consider the following:
1. Give gifts of the receivers choice.
2. Try to know the receivers expectations and comply to it.
3. Do not always focus on obligations, but express the thoughts and feelings that
come into mind giving a gift.
4. Accept cheerfully what ever you get, the giving is the most important, what
material is given is earthly, and we must think beyond that.
5. Do not offer gifts when you do not feel like it is a burden in the heart.
6. A smile is the best wrapping for a gift. So smile when you give or receive a gift.
That makes it worth.
Conclusion

Gifts are always special to us. They bring fun, happiness, and enjoyment in our
lives. However, sometimes gift may also appear to us as a burden. Sometimes, gift giving
is made without any prior plans. Different people have different views and motivation
about exchanging gifts. All these possibilities have been approached in the researched.
Based on the research some recommendations have also been made.

As a social customs or traditional norms, gifts are given for delightful without any
commitments. So the giving along with the receiving should remain deliberate. The kind of
gifts have developed and remained as a delightful exchange through our perception,
analysis and maintenance, we can keep it all along the mankinds endurance.