[derwenna]

What are your reasons for giving people presents at Christmas? What does it mean to give or receive something 'for Christmas' - what is it for?

My husband and I were discussing Christmas presents this morning, trying to work out what to get for various relatives, and I realised I wasn't really sure why we were trying to think of an object each person would want, planning when to look round shops or make things to obtain said objects and then hand them over. I like things I do to have a meaning or significance, particularly symbolic acts like giving presents, so what do you all think it signifies?

 

[Elena99]

Well, normally giving presents to people is something you do to make that person happy. It also tends to feel good to give things to people.

I don't give a lot of presents at Christmas, normally because I'm usually poor by then. But if I had more money, I would.

 

[karenlovessnow]

I'm glad this isn't in the heap, because I WILL NOT debate my reasons for why I do what I do!

So, that said, this is why I buy/give Christmas presents, in this order:

1. Since I am Catholic, giving presents represents God giving us the gift of the birth of his Son. And the wise men bringing the Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh.

2. Santa Claus is fun. When the kids were small it was awesome to see the looks on their faces, the pure delight and innocence, to ask for something and then actually receive it.

3. As an adult, it's awesome and pure delight for me to see the gratitude with which the gifts I give are received. I especially love to do random acts of giving to those who are truly in need. I leave anonymous gifts, i.e., there is a co-worker, single mom, who has an autistic daughter and her 9 year old son was just diagnosed with leukemia. I gave her two gift cards so that she will have a little something extra to hopefully help her get some enjoyment out of the holiday season and maybe get something special for her children.

I donate extra to the food banks. We adopt a needy family at work and buy special gifts for everyone in the family, including the parents.

For me, this is the most fun part of buying/giving gifts during the holiday season. Yesterday my two co-workers and I made up gift bags and went to six different departments to thank them for the all of the help they give us during the year. They were in shock because no one had ever done that before. Morale has been very low over the past year and it was nice to see their reaction of appreciativeness!

Anyway, that's what it means to me. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination. I don't mind sacrificing somewhat for others. Although I do hate it when January rolls around and I have to pay off the credit card!

It's probably not very vegan of me, and I'm contributing to consumerism, but this is one time of the year that I feel the need to put needy people first.

I love you guys!

 

[bigdufstuff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by derwenna

What are your reasons for giving people presents at Christmas? What does it mean to give or receive something 'for Christmas' - what is it for?

My husband and I were discussing Christmas presents this morning, trying to work out what to get for various relatives, and I realised I wasn't really sure why we were trying to think of an object each person would want, planning when to look round shops or make things to obtain said objects and then hand them over. I like things I do to have a meaning or significance, particularly symbolic acts like giving presents, so what do you all think it signifies?

Honestly, because everyone expects me to. If I don't give gifts to everyone, they'll tell me how much of a thoughtless a**hole I am. If I do give them gifts I feel bad for giving into the bullsh*t consumerism and a culture I don't believe in. Either way I feel like xmas is horrible.

 

[GhostUser]

My bf and I exchange cards. No gifts. I like to get surprised at random time of the year.

I like to get my step daughter education related stuff - this year it's the fly pen and all kinds of programs to go with.

I also had her a ring made that she can keep (hopefully) and hand down to her kid(s).

She always gets clothes because she needs them.

That's it. I try not to go overboard.

 

[InvisibleFriend]

I don't give any xmas gift at all, mainly because I'm agnostic (and don't find much sense to xmas) and also don't like all that consumism. Fortunately in my family we don't make gifts for that occasion.

 

[Jessica Alana]

I do it because i'm "supposed" to. Pretty much what BigDuff said.

It sucks cuz I spend quite a bit more money than I'd like. But I usually get most of it back in return.

 

[Joe]

I do it because it is customary in our society and commemorates the gifts of the Magi and the story of St. Nicholas. It is also a way of expressing kindness and affection. Also, it is a way of giving them knowledge, in a way. Instead of saying, "You have this unmet need, and if you would only go to such-and-such store and buy this particular item, then your need could be met"--you just give them the item itself and (hopefully) their need will be met and they will be happy.

A final observation would be this: I was brought up Roman Catholic and this religion, in contrast to the Protestant "work ethic," emphasizes a sort of "gift ethic" or "inheritance ethic." Much of what we enjoy in life we have as a gift from our ancestors, our parents, etc. It's only natural and proper to want to give something to others when we ourselves have been given so much by others.

 

[Sevenseas]

I don't give gifts, Santa gives them. So if you want to know the reasons, you have to ask Santa

While you're at it, ask that fat ******* whether he gives his elves even the minimum wage

I think the value of giving a gift to your partner is mainly that you show you know them well enough to know their interests and that you care for those interests. If you give them something overtly general, like wine or 20 packets of toilet paper (happy sweeping honey <3), then the gift-giving doesn't have that benefit and I don't see much point to it.

You can also recognize others' interests when giving gifts to others beside your partner, but then it's less significant. And if there's not that recognition aspect then it seems just like a boring tradition to me.

 

[GhostUser]

With the exception of my partner who I like to buy for, I do it mostly because it's expected of me. I'd like to stop buying presents for some people but then they'd think I was the biggest ******* in the world, so I just carry on buying. Anything for a quiet life.

 

[Blue Plastic Straw]

I give gifts, Christmas and otherwise, because I like doing something nice for the people I care about. I don't feel pressured to spend a lot of money, and, if I'm buying a gift, I pick something that I know the person would like but might not buy for themselves.

This year I'm doing small things; I wrote a poem for each of my parents and I'm going to make some baked goodies for my siblings. If my family were the type to think I was a jerk for not buying gifts I would probably not spend time with them.

 

[MrFalafel]

I only buy gifts for my nieces and nephews as their mother lives on the dole since their father died and there is no extra money around. I buy a them a mix of stuff they need as well as try to feed their interests with books or sports related items. This helps them interact with their peer groups on an equal level at school and helps them feel less disadvantaged. My wife and I each fill a stocking for each other, mostly with silly things (she got a can of gungo peas and a jar of grilled aubergine from me last year) to give us a laugh on Christmas morning before cooking. I don't buy any other gifts.

 

[tycoles]

I have different reasons for giving gifts. I have about 10 people I try to buy for for Christmas and Kwanza. I have two coworkers I give gifts to because they give gifts to me. I just feel like it would be rude to not return the favor. Plus, I have a great boss, and I buy him birthday, boss' day, and Christmas gifts to show my appreciation. I give to my mom because I don't want to hear her mouth about how she gave to me, but I didn't give to her. Then there are the gifts that I actually enjoy giving. I go out of my way to give great gifts to my niece, sister, brothers, and godchildren (they are all under 15) just because I want them to know I am thinking about them. My niece lives with me, but the others live in different states. I am lucky to see them once a year. Even though I don't see them open the gifts, I like to think that when they use what I've sent, they will think of me, and know that I am thinking of them.

 

[Jessica Alana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahjayn1980

I love giving gifts. LOVE IT! It's purely selfish on my part. I like the feeling of giving to people and making them happy.

I like coming across stuff that makes me think "Oh my god, so-and-so would LOVE this" then buying it for them. I DON'T like "****, christmas is in 4 weeks, i gotta go find **** to buy."

 

[Jill]

I don't like Christmas either. I feel like its one big commercilization, a big competition to see who can spend the most money, decorate their yard the tackiest, etc. I like to buy gifts for people anytime of the year, because of the surprise and how it feels to get a gift out of the blue. On Christmas, i feel obligated to have to buy someone something just because of the holiday. I would not rather not celebrate it at all. The real meaning of Christmas to me has nothing to do with gift giving, snowmen, santa claus, any of that.

 

[sunshinegal]

I love the hunt of finding something that I know the people in my life will love and I love seeing their faces when they open their gifts. I could go through Christmas just giving and be totally happy with seeing the looks on people's faces when they open their gifts.

I know Christmas is very commercialized, but I love giving gifts, I love the season and the spirit of it.

 

[MorningCalm]

I like to splurge on the sorts of stuff my friends and famly like, but would never buy for themselves. This year, though, wedding stuff has put a hefty dent in my bank account, and I refuse to rack up credit card bills for Christmas presents. The nephew is getting books and an educational game. His parents got a couple of Christmas CDs. My parents have been promised wedding pictures once the big day is over and we have them in hand. Not much in the way of gift-giving, I'm afraid.

 

[karenlovessnow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahjayn1980

I love giving gifts. LOVE IT! It's purely selfish on my part. I like the feeling of giving to people and making them happy.

Me too!

 

[karenlovessnow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica Alana

I like coming across stuff that makes me think "Oh my god, so-and-so would LOVE this" then buying it for them. I DON'T like "****, christmas is in 4 weeks, i gotta go find **** to buy."

Me too!

 

[Pescas]

I love buying presents! And I love giving them, seeing their reactions and giving them something they wanted..For me its fun and its about making people happy. i get happy when I get stuff I want too.