the gift

gift- 'something wondrous produced from nowhere'
where did this habit of gift giving come from? when you think about it, why do we give gifts for special occasions? and what makes an occasion special? is it hallmark or is it tradition? why was i instructed by the big people to never show up at another persons house empty handed?

the story of the three wise men or the magi bearing the gifts of frankincese, myrrh and gold (or golf as is stated in one web site) has been told many times. the etiology of christmas giving stems from pagan roman holidays where gifts were given as strena/etrennes (good luck) and this ritual was usurped by the church and incorporated into religious tradition. personally 'the gift of the magi' by o'henry is one of my favorite and earliest remembered stories from childhood- also 'the ransom of red chief' but thats another post.

in the middle ages gifts were used as political weapons, to forge alliances, or to indicate dominance over another. it allowed nobles to circulate their riches; to strut their stuff as it were. there were numerous opportunities for granting gifts; royalty arriving, agreements signed, basic social interactions. they carried special meanings and spoke to ones aesthetic being
gifts reaffirm cultural, familial, and social bonds. its also quite a kick to figure out what another would like and delightful to receive. it makes everyone feel good and thats pretty cool.


yet to simplify things, when a friend gives a gift that shows that they have actually thought about me, who am i and what gives me pleasure; that they have taken the time and made the effort, is a gift in itself and for that i am appreciative and truly touched.

another interpretation; gift-'a talent, endowment, aptitude, or bent' and some people have a gift for giving....