Gift Giving Definition

The “gift of giving” is a phrase used to describe the action of giving something of value to another and not expecting nor needing compensation in return. This expression attempts to promote giving as a selfless act and encourages individuals to find true worth in the act of spreading happiness and joy onto others through material goods. For many years, societies have praised this action as possibly one of the truest forms of personal and social bonding amongst humans, supporting generosity and goodwill without ulterior or selfish motives. We see a strong influence in this perception throughout the holiday seasons in some countries when it is suggested that we “give back” freely to the people around us instead of expecting something in return.

As in the editorial note, “They represent, in the context in which they are used by Mauss, respectively the actual act of exchange of gifts and rendering of services, and the reciprocating or return of these gifts and services” (Halls, 1990) In this way, it is fair to say that these services make up the backbone of gift giving and put forth the notion that gift giving is more than just an exchange of wealth, but also encompasses social relations and intangible properties. In his essay “The Gift,” Marcel Mauss blends and creates coexistence for both sociology and anthropology to intertwine in his description of reciprocation. Mauss’s explanation for gift giving is in essence, the question of what is vs. what ought to be. In other words, is the gift giving a voluntary action or is it imposed by social normal? Are we exchanging in a behavioral manner because we have grown accustom to the action since we were small children or is it something much deeper? Do we continue this action because of social expectations from our family and friends because it is considered the “right” thing to do? And lastly, when we trace back our motives, are they built

What properties make up and characterize a gift? Marcel Mauss points out that there are indeed different forms of gift giving and exchange. The first he describes as the passing of wealth. It is the most basic form of gift giving and is essentially the intuitive understanding. This example is tangible and one of the easier forms to define. He goes onto later to describe how this form of exchange is only one element to take into consideration stating, “What they exchange is not solely property and wealth, movable and immovable goods, and things economically useful. In particular, such exchanges are acts of politeness: banquets, rituals, military services, women, children, dances, festivals, and fairs, in which economic transaction is only one element, and in which the passing on of wealth is only one feature of a much more general and enduring contract” (Mauss, 1925). This statement is made when discussing the Polynesians and the nature of their exchange and the complexity of the concept of a “natural” economy. Here we see the great depth that makes up not only gifts but also forms of compensation. For these societies, exchange is a life source so to speak for social bonding and one of the essential sources of unity and understanding within the