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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. !otivtion is a goal" directed behavior. #ome human activity can be best explained by postulating an inner directing device. $ device could well be an innate biological mechanism that determines our activity. %hen 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. &t almost covers a person in a good or bad portfolio. &n 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. 'or the primary data, questionnaire comprising eight questions were prepared which dealt with the institution factors that induce people toward giving and receiving gifts. 'or secondary data, various &nternet web sites were searched. (ence 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. )urs is a synthetic society. The lifestyle, living norms, thoughts and feelings are mostly synthetic or artificial. )ur point or inquiry is that whether the concept of gifts is a just a social formality, a confused action being performed, )ur point of focus is to derive what people think, in today*s world about the plan or expectations of a gift.

Ancient Gift Giving Thoughts The concept of exchanging gifts started centuries back. $lthough 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 .&n 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. &n 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. (ence gifted were offered to the powerful, to the dominant. The gifts received were used to run empires, states, and maintain the expenses. #ince this was a collectively mandatory trend, what motivated such gift giving and not very clear . +ut it was undoubtedly a symbol of obedience and gratitude towards the higher authority. &n 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 ,hina in all works of life. &n family and in significant relationships, in dealing with political authority, social institutions and business people. +ecause 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-. &n dealing withes a ,hinese delegation, into leader should review a better gift that the subordinates. )ne 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. $ social custom such as gift giving expresses deeper socially embraced behavioral ideas and norms of mutuality between people. /roper 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. &f we were asked to classify the occasions of gift giving to the reasons of giving, they would form the following successive. Ceremonies 0birthdays, marriages, get together, etc12 to wish future happiness and

prosperity. Congratulating To encourage and appreciate for audacious efforts. Days 0mothers- day, fathers- day, friendship day, valentine-s day, etc 12 to show care and develop the existing relation. No specific occasion %hen occasions are the needed to express feelings. Planning the Gift %hatever the occasion might be, the giver usually takes much effort is planning and designing the gifts. ,ultural pressures, attempts to meet expectations, or perhaps simply a desire to be loved by others can be powerful motivations to spend beyond our means. (owever, before we go to the shop to select a gift, we should consider the bellowing2 0i1 Take control of your spending 2 %e 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. 0ii1 se the plan your gift giving guide 2 %e must not look at catalogues or go window" shopping for gift ideas. &nstead, we can begin by thinking about the person to whom we want to give. %e 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. 0iii1 Consider the values gift bring2 the gift we share say something about the values we hold dear. %e 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. )bviously, one cannot always give the same sort of gifts to their parents as they may give to their spouses. 0iv1 !o not let your hearts be troubled2 %e can make a list of the things about gift giving that we find frustrating or troubling. %e can give our own conscience time to be heard. %e can consider ways we can bring comfort to ourselves. 0v1 "hare #ith others2 %e can discuss our feelings with household members and friends. %e can look for other people in our community who wants to rectify their gift giving habits. Analysis of the Research $uestionnaire 'ollowing is the analysis of the set of questions that the respondents were requested to answer in the questionnaire. 'or this section, the reader can follow the Appendix, where the responses to the research questions have been represented with visual aids.

Ques # 1 %hy do you give gifts3

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%hy do you give gifts3 9 47 4 45 6 =8 678 68 :98 478

Everyone else is giving, to be in flow &t is a custom, & follow it &n expectation of something in return & want to express something & never think why & >.

$ccording to the research responses, more than half of the respondents 045 out of 661 replied that they offer gifts because they want to express something through it. The biggest minor group says they follow it is a custom 047 respondents1, 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. )nly 478 never think why they do so, this is either they are very much assorted with the culture or they do it whimsically following others. 0/lease follow the Appendix Table &, fig. no.41 Ques # 2 )n what occasions do you give gifts3
<9. ,eremonies2 ,ongratulating ?ays2 %henever & feel like2 On #hat occasions do you give gifts% 44 44 = 4= 9:8 9:8 4;8 6=8

!ost of the respondents replied that the occasion on which they give gifts is not fixed. &t could be anytime, any day, anywhere. The other occasions of ceremonies congratulations, and days 0fathers* day, mothers* day, friendship day, valentine*s day etc1 have 9:8, 9:8, 4;8 respectively. #o gifts are given merrily whenever people fell like. 0/lease follow the Appendix Table &&, fig. no. 91 Ques # 3 %hat sort of gift do you enjoy giving most3

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&hat sort of gift do you enjoy giving 'ost% booksCcards 6 478 flowers 9 D8 things of the giver-s choice 5 D8 things of the receiver-s choice ; D8 things of receiver-s necessity : D8 anything nice D D8

&n the case of what people love to get most, people love to get anything nice@ according to a third of the respondents. /eople also like to get specifically flowers, or like their givers choice, have strong insistence of their choice, or their necessity respectively at the rates 58, 58, 468, 458. This indicates that gift giving is changing from art to reality, as many people give things of necessity. 'lowers, cards, books are always granted as the best giving type and even though the percentages are small, they are collectively high and very prominent. 0/lease follow the Appendix Table &&&, fig. no. 61 Ques # 4 %hat do you focus mostly on, when you plan for a gift3
<; &hat do you focus 'ostly on( #hen you plan for a gift% occasion ; 468 relation 96 558 budget 9 58 expectation of the receiver for the gift 4 68

The most crucial point is the focus in planning a gift. &t is a very common thinking that the money or the budget factor is the most important. +ut according to the survey, more than A of the people said the focus is the relationship while they plan gift. #o the most concern is whom one is planning to give the gift. )nly 468 said that they consider the occasion, where as 58 and 68 said they focus on budget and the expectation. 0/lease follow the Appendix Table &B, fig. no. ;1 Ques # 5 %hat do you do when you receive a very expensive gift3
<: think critically develop the relation prioritiEe giving not the gift plan for what to give in return &hat do you do #hen you get an very e)pensive gift% = 978 6 478 4: :78 = 978

&f someone gets a very expensive gift it is sure to think or twist it a little. +ut now only half of them, 4: out of 67 said they care the giving, gift is not important. = think critically and have practical bias. $nother = think it more business way, they start planning to give something in return. $nd only 6 develop the relation, they are price oriented. 0/lease follow the Appendix Table B, fig. no. :1 Ques # ?o you accept gifts from strangers3
!o you accept gifts fro' unkno#n people% = 978 D 678 4: :78

Ges Ho ?epends on situation

/eople who take things from strangers are benefit oriented. ,autious and alert people, = out of 67 do not like strangers offering gifts. (owever, 4: people say it depends on situation. This includes trials and free packs, from companies. #o, 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. +ut people do take from unknowns. &t is not terrifyingF 0/lease follow the Appendix Table B&, fig. no.=1 Ques # ! %hat are the most pleasant gifts3

<5 books or cards 'lower things of their choice anything nice

&hat are the 'ost pleasant gifts% : 4 : 4D

4=8 68 458 =;8

#ince most people are picky in the case of gift giving, they are comparatively much reluctant in the case of receiving gifts. !ore than :78 people say they love getting anything nice. +ut other 6=8 people have their choices. $nd 4=8 of them argue for books and cards, traditionally. )nly 68 ask for flowers but surprisingly 458 people ask for gifts of the giver*s choice. !ay be, they want to make the giver equally happy as them getting a gift. 0/lease follow the Appendix Table B&&, fig. no. 51 Ques # " $re you disheartened when you expect a gift and do not receive one3

<I always sometimes often never

Are you disheartened #hen you e)pect a gift and don*t get one 4 6 49 ;7 ; 46 46 ;;

TrueF /eople have expectations for gifts, but it is not easy to admit it. (ence 49 people responded that they do get hurt sometimes. ; people said often, where 4 person said always, which is rather genuineness. This kind of confession is appreciating.46 people said they never bother about it. 0/lease follow the Appendix Table B&&&, fig. no. I1

Reco''endations for "uccessful Gift Giving $fter analyEing the feedbacks from the questionnaire, we recommend that a gift giver should consider the following2 4. Give gifts of the receiver*s choice. 9. Try to know the receiver*s expectations and comply to it. 6. ?o not always focus on obligations, but express the thoughts and feelings that come into mind giving a gift. ;. $ccept cheerfully what ever you get, the giving is the most important, what material is given is earthly, and we must think beyond that. :. ?o not offer gifts when you do not feel like it is a burden in the heart. =. $ smile is the best wrapping for a gift. #o 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. (owever, sometimes gift may also appear to us as a burden. #ometimes, gift giving is made without any prior plans. ?ifferent people have different views and motivation about exchanging gifts. $ll these possibilities have been approached in the researched. +ased on the research some recommendations have also been made.

$s a social customs or traditional norms, gifts are given for delightful without any commitments. #o 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 mankind*s endurance.

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