Dec 113 min read

Unwrapping the Meaning Behind Gifts

By Amie Ahn Dec. 11, 2024

Extravagant offerings of jewelry, clothing, grains, paintings and even the bright shine of gold once lined the pharaoh's massive pyramid, destined to accompany them into the afterlife. Amidst ancient Egypt, people perceived pharaohs as divine beings on earth and showered them with lavish gifts as a means of pleasing the gods. Now, in

modern times, exchanging gifts remains a universal practice shared across various cultures, each with unique rituals to emphasize gratitude and appreciation. With this, the practice displays the human nature of seeking a sense of connection and community.

Gift giving dates back to prehistoric eras, where early cavemen exchanged unusual rocks and rare animal teeth to each other to improve social connection. The long-standing practice of gift giving highlights the timeless human desire to strengthen social bonds and express positive emotions towards others. As available resources and technology have evolved, gift giving has transitioned to a casual and common practice, with a wide range of gifts. Traditions like celebrating birthdays came to light in many households as a way for families to make their loved ones feel special and

foster a sense of belonging.

Across cultures, giving gifts bridges diverse practices. In China, elders give young family members red packets filled with money on Lunar New Year, not only as a celebratory gift, but also as a superstitious ritual: The red envelopes symbolize luck, and the money wards off demons. Additionally, in many Asian countries, it is considered common etiquette for one to refuse a gift multiple times before accepting it, placing emphasis on modesty, as stated by The Atlantic. Similarly, in the Victorian era, men were expected to give opulent gifts to women to meet courting expectations, yet women were expected to deny them to demonstrate their politeness. Additionally, in France, books and music are exchanged to express gratitude for the variety and beauty of arts.

Beyond cultural norms, gift exchanges are a common courtesy that boosts self-esteem by fostering kindness. According to the University of Arizona, both giving and receiving a gift releases dopamines. Also, giving gifts often comes from a place of compassion and can alleviate one’s pain by motivating them to prepare a genuine gift for a loved one. Additionally, gifts can fortify relationships with an understanding of each other’s interests.

“I was very touched when I received a birthday card from my five-year old sister. All of the errors in her writing made the card more original—she wrote ‘Haddy Dirthbay’ instead of ‘Happy Birthday,’ which felt very sweet,” Sophomore Ian Gao said.

However, despite the good intentions surrounding gifts, they are still accompanied with challenges; many individuals struggle with the financial aspects of preparing gifts. Purchasing a gift can be a minor inconvenience for everyone, but the normalized expectation of gift giving especially weighs a heavy burden on less wealthy families during the holiday season. Also, in young romance, teenagers often feel inclined to buy larger-scale gifts for their significant other. This can be difficult to attain as the majority of students do not have a job—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, only 22.5% of high school students were employed.

“My friends and I once did a Secret Santa gift exchange, and we had a budget of around $5. However, one of my friends wanted an item that was $25, and I was stuck between getting her the item she wanted, or sticking with the price range. Luckily, I was able to find an item that was cheaper but similar to what she wanted. Meanwhile, in group settings a cheap gift may be taken with a negative connotation,” Junior Vivan Lai said.

At its core, exchanging gifts is merely a fundamental tradition that has survived the test of time, as people continue to use it to express appreciation and gratitude globally. Over time, the expectation of giving gifts has expanded to cause financial struggle for some families, but diverse traditions continue to highlight the common underlying message of gifts—a sign that love and social connection are essential to form bonds.

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