Gift

Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Gift shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Gift offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Gift at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Gift? Wrong! If the Gift is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Gift then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Gift? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Gift and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Gift wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Gift then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Gift site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Gift, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Gift, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

. Athenian red-figure vase, ca. 460 BCE

A gift or present is the transfer of something, without the need for compensation that is involved in trade. A gift is a voluntary act which does not require anything in return. Even though it involves possibly a social expectation of reciprocity, or a return in the form of prestige or power, a gift is meant to be free.

In many human societies, the act of mutually exchanging money, property, etc. may contribute to social cohesion. Economists have elaborated the economics of gift-giving into the notion of a gift economy.

By extension the term gift can refer to anything that makes the other more happiness or less sad, especially as a favour, including forgiveness and kindness (even when the other is not kind).

Presentation When material objects are given as gifts, in many cultures they are traditionally packaged in some manner. For example, in Western culture, gifts are often wrapped in wrapping paper and accompanied by a gift note which may note the occasion, the giftee's name, and the giver's name. In Chinese culture, red wrapping connotes luck.

Occasions The occasion may be:

Expression of love or friendship
Expression of gratitude for a gift received
Expression of piety, in the form of alms
Expression of solidarity (sociology), in the form of mutual aid
To share wealth
To offset misfortune
Offering travel souvenirs
Custom, on occasions (often celebration (party)) such as

A birthday (the person who has his or her birthday gives cake, etc. and/or receives gifts)
A potlatch, in societies where status is associated with gift-giving rather than acquisition.
Christmas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Santa Claus)
Saint Nicholas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Saint Nicholas)
A wedding (the couple receives gifts and gives food and/or drinks at the wedding reception)
A wedding anniversary (each spouse receives gifts)
A funeral (visitors bring flowers, the relatives of the deceased give food and/or drinks after the ceremonial part)
A Childbirth (the baby receives gifts)
Passing an examination (the student receives gifts)
Father's Day (the father receives gifts)
Mother's Day (the mother receives gifts)
Exchange of gifts between a guest and a host, often a traditional practice
Giving a round of drinks in a bar (establishment).
Lagniappe

Kinds of gifts A gift may be one of

an ordinary object,
an object created for the express purpose of gift exchange, such as the armbands and necklaces in the Trobriand Islands' Kula exchange,
an alternative giving such as a donation to a Charitable organization in the name of the recipient.
a regifting of an unwanted gift previously received by the giver.
a virtual object as seen on Facebook, Live_Journal, both of which allow you to purchase virtual gifts or in games such as GiftTRAP which allow you to give virtual gifts. These are all examples of the Virtual_economy

Legal aspects of gifts At common law, for a gift to have legal effect, it was required that there be (1) intent by the donor to give a gift, (2) acceptance of the gift by the donee, and (3) delivery to the donee of the item to be given as a gift.

In the United States and some other countries, certain types of gifts above a certain monetary amount are subject to taxation. See gift tax for more information.

Religious views Ritual sacrifices can be seen as return gifts to a deity. Sacrifice can also be seen as a gift from a deity: Lewis Hyde remarks in The Gift that Christianity considers the Incarnation and subsequent death of Jesus to be a "gift" to humankind, and that the Jakata contains a tale of the Buddha in his incarnation as the Wise Hare giving the ultimate alms by offering himself up as a meal for Sakka. (Hyde, 1983, 58-60)

See also

Alms
Altruism
Atonement
Charity (practice)
Debt relief
Gift (law)
Gift tax
Giving Circles
Random act of kindness
Red packet
Regiving
Souvenir
TANSTAAFL
Xenia (Greek)
Extragratis
Gratis versus Libre