Throughout history, different cultures worldwide have used the art of gift giving to extend communal ties, bring families together, extend influence, and leverage social collateral to solidify bonds within their respective communities.  It has been a way for people to reciprocate thoughtfulness and thanks for favors and benefits that are often intangible.  The process of giving gifts goes far beyond the practice of what many believe is nothing more than a transactional redistribution of one’s resources.  It requires the deliberate assessment of another’s needs, and the ability to find the perfect physical item to convey that meaning. 

         One must realize that there are different types of gift giving, and that most people fall into one of those categories.  One type of gift giver is Thoughtful Gift Giver.  The Thoughtful Gift Giver is someone that puts a lot of effort and emotional investment into choosing the gift that will be given.  This person meticulously assesses the needs and desires of the person that will receive the gift and will search for an item that will spur that emotion of happiness within an individual.  These gifts often trigger enjoyment and are also functional meaning they will be useful in this person’s everyday life.  This type of gift giver has a talent for perceiving wants and desires that are unknown to the recipient.  Once the gift is given, the recipient’s unknown emptiness is immediately realized and instantly filled.  This gift giving method develops social collateral, solidifies bonds, and brings individuals together. 

          Another type of gift exchange occurs with the Transactional Gift Giver.  This gift giver puts little time and effort into searching for a gift for the recipient.  They often satisfy the needs of the recipient with gift cards or electronic purchases to fulfill socially mandated gift giving requirements.  This gift giving almost exclusively occurs around scheduled and structured events like birthdays and holidays. 

Lastly, there is the Reciprocal Gift Giver.  This gift giver may employ the methods of the Thoughtful Gift Giver or the Transactional Gift Giver.  This individual understands that a gift will be coming to them, and that they must return a gift as well.  This type of exchange can often be tricky.  If either of the gift givers employ contradictory methods during the exchange, the outcome can often be awkward and puts stress on the social ties that bind them.  This issue can be mitigated by sporadic exchanges.            

When giving gifts in the future, remember it is best to model the Thoughtful Gift Giver.  Ensure that time is taken to deliberately assess the needs and wants of those that are receiving the gift.  This skill will matriculate into the most rewarding relationships with those that you love and cherish.  Individuals around you will begin to know your depth in caring for them and will be eager to return the favor.         

 March 1, 2019