This post is also available in: Portuguese (Brazil)

For sure one day you give or receive a gift from friends, family members, co-workers or acquaintances… Do you believe that a gift has a monetary value? Is it an untold value?  Can everyone give it? Can everyone receive it? Today I’ll write about the meaning of a gift.  If you’re curious, read on.

Once one friend told me: “I don’t work, I don’t have much money to buy a friend’s birthday gift…” then I thought “is it really true?” I know that a person doesn’t work, but my question is if the person really doesn’t have one thing to give his friend.

What is a gift?

A gift is something valuable, but it doesn’t mean expensive…

I don’t believe a person is too poor to the point that he/she can’t give a gift to his friend, partner, family member, or whoever… If one day you said it, I’m sorry, it’s an excuse.

Any person can give a gift to somebody, whether you are a rich or a poor person. Likewise, anyone can receive it. Sometimes I hear people saying “I won’t buy a gift to my friend because he/she has everything”. Really? Obviously, he may have everything he wants materially, objects etc. However, if you print a picture and give him in a frame for sure he doesn’t have that yet, and it will be unforgettable for whole life.

And… what to give?

Who has never wondered about this question? I have some tips on how to choose a special gift for my friends.

Before buying a gift, think if it is a necessary object or a thing that is desired by your friend. Both cases are a good idea. I really like giving a useful gift, because the person will use it every day, or when it is required.

What helps me to choose that is to pay attention to the friend. What he uses, likes, takes, speaks… what color are their objects, clothes… what habits and sports he practices… pay attention to little details that makes everything very special.

Another thing to have in mind is to be creative. If the person has been your friend for a while or a family member, it means that every year you must choose one gift, so it’s essential to find different and creative gifts. Do you like receiving the same gift from the same person every year? There is no expectation, you don’t feel butterflies in your stomach thinking about what you’ll get. So be creative!

A tailor-made gift is always creative, for example: photo album, picture frames, customized handicraft (when you add the person’s name). I also like going to gifts shops and buy a cup, a mug, or a T-shirt with quotes, funny or inspired phrases.

I don’t like giving money. Why? In some cases, the person actually needs money, but these are very special cases. I would rather not giving it because I think it’s the easiest (there is no “work” while looking for a special gift). You give money to a person, he’ll buy something or pay some bill, and next year, you and the person won’t even remember what you gave him/her last year.

I believe that money is a good option when you know that the buddy prefers receiving it, he chooses it, or if you know his personal condition. In both cases, I “agree” to give money as a gift. In the first case I do, but not as happy as in the second situation.

You shouldn’t give an expensive gift, the best is to think about it carefully. For sure, he/she doesn’t care if the gift is expensive. What stands out is a creative and a personal gift, besides giving it from the heart. I really believe that.

Is it important to give a gift?

It’s essential for all parties involved, to he who gives it, and to whom receives it.

The first one, who gives the gift, can look at the face of happiness of the other person; can feel grateful for being useful, or helping someone.

The second one, who receives the gift, can feel that he/she is a special person, as someone spent his time thinking about what to buy, going to the store, choosing a suitable gift. It means that someone cares about you.

So… what do you think about giving gifts and value of a gift? Do you prefer giving, receiving or both? Leave your opinion in the comments section. 🙂