Gifting Greek Gifts? Learn The Art Of Giftgiving

At some point in our lives, we have been recipients of a gift or givers of gifts. When it comes to gifts, there is a prominent saying that goes, “it is the thought that counts.” This implies that having to give a gift to a celebrant for whatever occasion is a nice deed, but this gesture is thought to be more meaningful by the thought which initiates the buying of the gift item. In a nutshell, the value of a gift is not judged by its price but by the warmth and love that cloaks the gift that is given; whatever the occasion, gift-giving requires careful thought and consideration. This act strengthens the friendship between individuals. I can already hear the question “what if the intention is sinister/evil-looking?” Well, this social ritual of gifting goes deeper than the surface level of simply giving a gift. It emphasises how connected we are to the gifts we present. Therefore some gifts could be “Greek gifts” that one needs to be wary of.

On the psychology of gift-giving, Daniel Farrelly, a psychologist at the University of Worcester, said, “Humans are incredibly social species and one of the things that set us apart is forming and maintaining relationships with others. Gift-giving around holidays, birthdays, graduations, or weddings is a great opportunity to reinforce those relationships.”

In the US, gifting has become a booming business, and it is estimated that this year in the US, consumers will spend $942 on Christmas gifts, which in 2018, the estimated amount was $885. In totality, the amount is expected to surpass $1 trillion. While in the UK, Britons this year will spend￡388, which equates to $517.

In some parts of the world, like Nigeria, gifting cash is a rampant behaviour in society. In some cultures, it is considered offensive and lazy. But hey, thinking about it, it is a lazy act that has come to stay.

Anyway, what are gifts? They are assorted items that we gift our loved ones and friends, ranging from clothing items of all sorts, household items/ accessories, body care items even down to office accessories and a lot more. Gift-giving is a physical expression of our deep affection. It is another means of communication that unequivocally expresses love and appreciation. Despite the myriad of items out there to select from, gifting celebrants or simply for the moment is one task many find daunting. A lot comes to play here and thoughtful consideration comes in while mentally deciding on the ideal and suitable, perhaps perfect, gift to offer a dear one. And cases where one randomly and with detachment buys a gift, chances are that those gifts will appear like the Greek gift. Hence, there are gifts that should be avoided, and this is dictated by the level of relationship one has with the celebrant.

While struggling to buy the perfect gift, we might sometimes find ourselves in a “Presenter’s Paradox”- a situation where we devalue our gifts by pairing a big gift with a small gift. Farrelly explains that it is like buying an expensive bottle of wine and then getting disposable cups to accompany it, “that immediately devalues the gift. That’s because humans tend to think economically and rationally about these sort of things.”

So as challenging as the task is to buy gifts for an individual, we consider some nitty-gritty about the person by applying high levels of judgment based on the person/personality of the individual which will influence one’s discretion and decision making in opting for the ideal gift or a friend. As great as items can be, gifting an experience is one gift that lasts forever and might just be a great start; like a one-week trip to a certain destination or something in that line of thought.

Another splendid gift is the gift of time, which is usually underestimated by both parties. Like the holiday seasons make many people travel to spend time with family and friends, such is one gift that is always cherished. The moments spent together can never be forgotten, Farrelly says, “the memories and the emotional attachment are greater than to a physical object.”

However, not all can afford the gift of an experience, therefore physical gifts are not ruled out. What do you do in this case if not tapping into the personality of the individual? A receiver’s personality is a great way to highlight great options to choose from.

There is a colossal collection of items one can gift, so do not force yourself into a dilemma but rather think of his personality to guide you into a seamless experience and you are good to go. Remember: sometimes, less is more.