| Haven't you ever stopped to think about the origin | | | | plants. Sometimes they are intangible; children give |
| of gift giving ritual? While you may think that gift | | | | their parents coupons for yard cleanup, dish washing, |
| giving isn't really that big of a deal, there is a great | | | | cleaning the house and other chores they might not |
| deal of history behind this that most people don't | | | | ordinarily perform. Time is given to our family, friends, |
| even really think about. The term refers to an object | | | | and neighbors when they need help. We volunteer |
| given from one person to another person, with | | | | our time to various charitable organizations and every |
| regards to increasing the amount of happiness in their | | | | so often, we give only because it is time to give a |
| life, or just decreasing the amount of sadness. This | | | | present to someone. |
| includes special days, special occasions, and just times | | | | Receiving is part of this process and giving makes |
| when a person might need a lift. | | | | the giver feel good. Making someone else's life richer |
| Since the dawn of time people have been giving | | | | rewards the giver with a feeling of achievement and |
| presents. People in early civilizations gave to their | | | | caring especially if the recipient shows gratitude and |
| tribal leaders and each other to show loyalty and | | | | appreciation. Receiving is as important in this |
| love. They used bark and wood from the trees, and | | | | reciprocal practice as giving. This became big business |
| reeds to fashion unique objects. The Roman practice | | | | in the United States along with the general trend |
| of presenting the Emperor, and each other was with | | | | toward a consumer economy. Some people wonder |
| good luck tokens. They received presents in order to | | | | whether the emphasis on buying, shopping and |
| procure favor and to demonstrate allegiance, a | | | | getting brings more happiness or disappointment, |
| practice still in place today. In Egypt, idols and | | | | especially to those who can afford very little. |
| pyramids were built to honor the pharaohs. In the | | | | It has symbolic meaning in nearly every culture from |
| medieval age, they were given to kings to gain | | | | all corners of the globe for as long as mankind has |
| personal favor or allegiance in a war. Most were silver | | | | existed. From the first time a father gave his child a |
| and gold and jewels: chalices, medallions, statues, and | | | | carved doll to the gold ring given to a bride, gift |
| other articles. They were also given to a beloved one | | | | giving symbolizes many things: love, respect, |
| or used as dowries for betrothals, which could include | | | | sympathy, flattery and appreciation. This has become |
| a herd of animals, or precious metals and jewelry. | | | | a time-honored tradition that seems to become more |
| Today we give for a myriad of reasons. Presents are | | | | deeply rooted with time. Over time, this wonderful |
| given at cultural religious occasions for birthdays, | | | | tradition has grown more complicated and more |
| holidays, farewells, good luck, to show love, to say | | | | stressful. Sometimes, the original purpose behind the |
| thank you, to welcome, and "just because". We give | | | | tradition gets clouded, and it takes on a life of its |
| presents to family members, friends, co-workers, and | | | | own. Gift giving will always touch our hearts in a very |
| neighbors and the selection may include jewelry, | | | | special way. |
| baskets, toys, clothes, certificates, flowers and | | | | |