Every gift which is given, even though is being small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.” — Pindar

A gift or present is the transfer of goods, money and even intangible items from one person to another. Gift giving is something you want to do, not something you have to do! The purpose behind gift giving is the joy or pleasure that the person receiving the gift will get.

Gifts satisfy an assortment of needs and beliefs. They are used to express a wide range of feelings such as love, friendship and gratitude. Gifts also provide a way for people to celebrate special occasions and festivals such as Eid, Christmas, New Year, birthday, anniversary, wedding, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Friendship Day, etc.

Sometimes we also give gifts to apologise for a mistake. If we find it difficult to make a person happy, gift giving helps us a lot in communicating our true feelings and also bringing smile to someone's face. Gifts can easily and effectively express how much we care for a loved one.

When considering what gifts to buy, the best way is to know the person's likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests. For example, if s/he is someone who likes to read, then books would be the most appropriate gift; if s/he likes music, music CDs would be an ideal choice. A suitable gift for a child would be a general knowledge book; it will keep him engrossed in useful reading. T-shirts, joggers or gadgets for boys; and jewellery, handbags or sandals for girls are some interesting options. Bouquet of flowers is an appropriate gift for all occasions and is admired by almost everyone.

For some people, due to lack of resources, it's really difficult to spend money on expensive gifts. But there are many great gift ideas that do not cost much and require only a few rupees. A handmade decoration piece is a wonderful option in this regard and the person receiving the gift is always more impressed when there is a personal feel added to the gift — which a hand-made item conveys more effectively.

Always wrap a gift before presenting it. Not wrapping a present implies carelessness and an uncaring attitude. It undermines the impact of your gift. Paste a card with a loving note on the top of the gift box. The card will give a meaning to your gift. There is nothing more significant than a message from the heart.

Gift receiving is as pleasing as giving one. But there are some etiquette suggestions that should be followed while receiving a gift from someone. Always accept a gift gracefully, regardless of how you feel about the gift or the giver. A simple 'thank you' is always an appropriate expression of appreciation.

With a little grace and right attitude, giving and receiving gifts of all kinds, both tangible and otherwise, can bring lots of joy into our lives.