Gift

A gift, unlike a trade, is the transfer of something, without any expectation for compensation.

A gift usually 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.

Economists have elaborated the economics of gift-giving into the notion of a gift economy.

For a gift to have legal effect, it was required that there be intent by the donor to give a gift, and delivery to the donee of the item to be given as a gift.

Gifts may also be from a wealthy person, hoping that people will recognize their kindness.

Ritual sacrifices are sometimes considered as return gifts to a deity. Christians consider the Incarnation and subsequent death of Jesus to be a "gift" to humankind. The Jataka 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.
 

Gift Giving Etiquette

What are the Gift Giving Etiquette you should be more concerned about?

There are certain things in Gift Giving that are not allowed, they are called ft Giging Etiquettes. There's a right and wrong way to go about giving or receiving gifts.

Is it okay to re-gift? Never regift one-of-a kind items. Only new, unopened gifts in good condition should be regifted. Make sure you are careful. Don't regift to the person who gave it to you, or to someone who knows them! Your intentions should be good, and the regift should be just the right fit for the recipient.

Do you know how to handle an unexpected present? When someone you hardly know presents you with an unexpected gift, it can be embarrassing. The best way to handle it is to tell the person how much it means to you to have been honored in such a thoughtful manner. If for one reason or another, you are unable to accept the gift, you should return it and explain why you retursn the gift

Is an e-mail thank-you note acceptable? An email thank-you note would be acceptable, depending on the gift, the gift giver and the circumstance.

Gift Giving Ideas (Gift Suggestion)

What are some holidays and special occasions to recognize in the Corporate world? Here is a list of important dates, events and occasions that you want

Gift giving occurs throughout the year. There are many public and personal events we celebrate. A number of these occasions are marked as gift giving opportunities. the following is a list gift giving Occasions: Anniversary, Baby Shower, Baptism, Birthday, Breakup / Divorce, Confirmation, Family Reunion, First Communion, Graduation, House Warming, New Baby, Retirement, Wedding.

Gift Giving is also the Classic Expression of Love. You can show your love to someone by giving him/ her a gift to express: Best Friends, Cheer Up, Congratulations, Crazy for You, Get Well, Girl Power, I Love You, I Miss You,
Sympathy, Thank You, Thinking of You.

Most of us do not think of gift giving as an art. When we choose a gift for someone, we usually put a lot of thought into it. We tend to make them: Romantic, Personalized, Unique, Sentimental, Thoughtful, Humorous, Fashionable, Spiritual, Trendy, Relaxing, Inspirational, Geeky,


Gift Guide

As you are in the market for a gift for someone, you need to set a guide before you go out to the store or turn on your computer and start shopping. The two critical things in gift giving are affordability and appropriateness. For instance, as a a groomsman in my friend Jack’s wedding, I knew I had to come up with a great and personalized wedding gift for him and his wife. Also, make sure you select the appropriate gift for the specific occasion.


Gift Catalog

If for some reason you can not make it to a computer like a library or you just don't have access to one. You can not order at work or that sort of thing catalogs is a great way to get some holiday shopping done. Most larger department stores are actually going to have catalogs. Pick one up, you have to go to the store to get one but it is not as easy as ordering online but there are pretty pictures, you can actually turn the pages. Purus at your leisure and checks are usually excepted but usually credit cards and you actually can find the 1800 number in the catalogs. That you can order usually it is like 8-6, 8-7, 8-7, maybe extended for holiday hours. You know charges may apply. So that is another option for you as well. Those pretty pictures again, you can kind of flip through it and that may be the best way for you to go.


Gift Shop (Store)

From birthdays to new babies to just because, gift shops can help people show they care.

Gift shops have access to high quality, exclusive wholesale merchandise from all over the world, plus prestigious and popular brand names.

Gift shops offer a wide range of gifts that appeal to many people or specialized in a particular types of gifts, or gifts for particular types of people. You can find gift stores specialized in: arts and crafts, Card, Holidays, Novelty, selling gag gifts, Personalized gift, Souvenir gift and Specialty gift.


Gift Registry

A Gift Registry is a great way to let friends and relatives know what’s on your wish list for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Why worry about unwanted or duplicate gifts? Help your friends find the perfect gift by setting up a gift registry. They'll save time too by ordering it on-line.


Gift For Men

The key to perfect gift for a man lies in both what you buy and how you present it to him. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect gifts for the man in your life. Sporting goods gifts are virtually always appreciated. A corollary to the "Every Man is a Jock" rule is that "Every Man is an Outdoorsman. A man appreciates a gift he can use outdoors. A beautiful piece of jewelry like a watch, one of the wonderful men's fragrances, a gorgeous set of luggage, or a lovely piece of clothing like a cashmere sweater would do the job. Any type of personal electronics is sure to be a hit. You can also give him a special book, whether it's on auto parts or on the best sellers' list. The last suggestion for gift for hour man is to take him away on a surprise overnight trip.


Gift For Women (Mom, New Mom)

No matter what the occasion, Christmas, Valentine's Day, anniversary or birthday, men struggle with what to buy the women in their lives.

In a survey conducted recently, twenty-seven percent of women say travel is number one on their list of gifts they'd most like to receive. A close second was jewelry.

A majority of those (67%) say they would be willing to pay for their own trip. However, a majority of those respondents made it clear that a trip to a spa, sailing on a cruise, or even going on a no-fuss packaged tour are the three most favored options among their top choices for travel. Spare them the planning and organizing, guys - and just arrange for a quick getaway. Local spas have gift certificates that include enough pampering for any Mom.

A close second was jewelry. Among those respondents almost half say they would like to find a ring among their gifts, twenty percent prefer earrings, and sixteen percent say a necklace or chain would be the perfect gift.

For women, jewelry is a passion. Only few woman have managed to get off the Jewelry addiction. If you observe carefully; even a woman who likes to be simple has got a jewelry on her body. even a woman who doesn't like to wear jewelry would also own at least one jewelry.


International Gift Giving

Today, cross cultural awareness and an understanding of foreign etiquette is important for today’s business person. A lack of cross cultural understanding can lead to misunderstandings which may result in offense.

Cross cultural gift giving etiquette involves considering the following points: Who is receiving the gift? Is it a person or a group?, What is the status of the gift receiver(s)?, What types of gifts are acceptable or unacceptable?, What is the protocol associated with gift giving and receiving?, and Should gifts be reciprocated?


Gift Giving in Japan

Gift giving in Japanese society is so much more than it is in the western society. In Japan, gifts can be given to say thank you or sorry. Gifts are also given to people you will be working with that you are meeting for the first time. The same way, when visiting someone's home for the first time it is customary to bring a gift to the family.

Another important aspect of gift giving in j

Japan is the cost of the gift. Knowing how much to spend on a present for someone can be tricky; you don't want to spend too much as this will cause tension and put the recipient into "social debt" with you. You also don't want to insult your host or new friend by getting a cheap gift. For someone wanting to buy a gift for the first time to a Japanese person, it is perhaps best to ask for the help of Japanese friends

Do not give green tea to a Japanese person as gift, as it is reserved for funerals and memorial services. Do not even think about getting a Comb as a gift, since the word for comb, kushi, is a combination of ku (suffering) and shi (death), it is a symbolic double whamie that would put you on the wrong side of anyone.

Clothes that touch the skin can not be given to the elderly, as it is seen as too intimate a gift. Socks are an exception to this rule. Lastly, never give sets of four, since the word for four also means death.

When giving a gift to someone do not be surprised if they put it aside without opening it. This is standard Japanese custom. It is a face saving technique, should the gift not meet the standards or expectations of the receiver, it prevents the possibility of embarrassment.


Gift Basket

Gourmet gift baskets make a wonderful gift any time of the year. Almost everyone loves and appreciates the gift of food. It's hard to go wrong.

Baby Shower gift Basket is another hidden secret as far as gift is concerned. You would be surprised on how much pleasure you can give to a Mom-to-be by giving her a gift Basket on her baby shower. Baby gift basket is the most popular way to give items that can help new parents in raising the baby.

A Cool gift basket idea is a Ice Cream Sundae gift basket. You can make this very frugally or extravagantly. Just place sundae or ice cream bowls, some spoons, an ice cream scoop, sprinkles, ice cream sauces and napkins on a basket and bring to a shower, birthday party or housewarming.
Winning Basket Ideas.


Gift Card (Online)

Shopping for gifts can be a real dilemma. What do you get for your child, your co-worker, or your child’s babysitter? Gift cards may be the answer for that. Gift Card is the One size fits all approach to gift giving. You give a gift card and the recipients can get exactly what they want from a retailer or restaurant.

But before you buy a stack of gift cards, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants you to know that

There are two types of gift cards: retail gift cards, which are sold by retailers and restaurants, and can be used only with those merchants. Retail gift cards may have expiration dates or a fee for inactivity that sometimes is called a “dormancy fee.” bank gift cards, which carry the logo of a payment card network like VISA or MasterCard, and can be used at any location accepting cards from that network. There are more likely to be fees for activation, maintenance, or transactions on bank gift cards than on retail gift cards.

Regardless of where or whom you buy a gift card from, we recommends that you guy a gift card from sources you know and trust. Avoid buying gift cards from online auction sites, because the cards may be counterfeit or may have been obtained fraudulently. Read the fine print before you buy. If you don’t like the terms and conditions, buy elsewhere. Ask about expiration dates and fees when you’re buying a card. This information may appear on the card itself, on the accompanying sleeve or envelope, or on the issuer’s website. If you don’t see it, ask. If the information is separate from the gift card, give it to the recipient with the card to help protect the value of the card.

Consider fees that may be deducted from the card, including activation, maintenance or transaction fees. It might be embarrassing to give someone a $50 gift card and find out later that fees gobbled up most of the amount.
Inspect the card before you buy it. Verify that none of the protective stickers have been removed, and make sure that the codes on the back of the card haven’t been scratched off to reveal a PIN number. Report tampered cards to the store selling the cards.

Give the recipient the original receipt to verify the card’s purchase in case it is lost or stolen. Consider the financial condition of the business and whether it has filed for bankruptcy. If you buy a card from a company that goes out of business or ultimately files for bankruptcy, the recipient may end up with a card that’s worth less than the face value.
If the business closes stores near where the recipient lives or works, they may not be able to get to another location to redeem their card. A company that files for bankruptcy may honor its gift cards. A competitor may also accept the card. Call the retailer or competitor to find out. Even if a company currently is not redeeming gift cards, check with them periodically; they may resume doing so later.


Gift Jewelry Ideas

Jewelry pieces are certainly one of the best options of a gift for a woman as well as a man. Jewelry has a magical effect upon almost every one; a beautiful selection will demonstrate the importance of your relationship and your respect for him/her. However, it's not an easy task.

Here are a few simple tips to help you make your decision when buying your Jewelry gift:

It's sometimes enough to look attentively at what the person already has in order to understand what kind of jewels he/ she likes. This way you can define the individual style, favorite gems and understand what kinds of jewelry pieces are lacking in the wardrobe.

If the person is very romantic, think hearts! You can get a heart-shaped pendant or a bracelet made of hearts. Some gemstones can be cut into hearts as well. If he/ she prefers classic style or likes wearing business suits, choose a pair of small diamond earrings or an elegant gold chain.

The person's friends and families are usually good advisers in your gift giving project. The sister, mother or friend will tell you about his/ her preferences and help you find the right gift.

Give practical gift to the person. If you present a woman with a cute pedant, buy a chain she could wear it on. If you want to stash away an extra present for the next occasion, you can buy a jewelry item that is a part of a set. For example, if you present her with a bracelet, next time you can choose earrings of the same set.


Gift Mugs

A Coffee Mug can be the best gift for you. If you need a simple and affordable gift idea for a coworker, friend, or family member, a coffee mug is the way to go.


Gift Money

Put money or a check in an envelope, or stash it in a money card or greeting card is not considered a personal gift to give to someone you care about on a special holiday.

The giving of money, though, doesn't have to be a cold and distant process, however, and with enough creativity and motivation, one can even make it more fun than a regular hot off the market, exclusive, or extravagant item. There are many occasions where the Gift of Money is appropriate. It can be exciting for not only the receiver but also he or she who is presenting the money gift. You just have to use your imagination and figure out alternative strategies to presenting the money.


Gift Tax Limit

If you give away a lot of money as gift, then you could be responsible for paying federal gift tax on it. However, the tax system makes it easy to give large amount of money as gifts without paying taxes. Currently you can give away around $12,000.00 to any amount of people without having to pay federal gift tax. This means a single giver can actually give hundreds of people $13,000 each without incurring the gift tax. The recipients also will not be subject to income tax on the money given. The rules for couples are a little different. They can pool their annual exemptions to give larger amounts to recipients each year. You have a lifetime limit of $1,000,000.00 to give away tax free. Additionally, medical and educational expenses can all be turned into gifts. It is possible to avoid the gift tax by staying within the limits in annual gifts to individual recipients.

If you plan on giving away more than what is allowed, then you may want to do some pre-planning so neither you nor the recipients of your gifts owe taxes on them.

These are some tips for you when you intend to give away large amounts of money or assets:

You and your spouse can give away up to $24,000.00 annually to any number of people. You have a lifetime limit of $1,000,000.00 to give away tax free. The gift cannot have any exclusions and is money or property given away without an expected return. If you must claim the federal gift tax on your gifts then you must file using Form 709. Giving away property or money as gift before your death can provide a huge tax savings to your friends and family. If you pay someone else’s medical expenses then you must pay them directly to the care provide for them to be considered a gift.

It is also important to know that gifts of educational expenses will not be taxed under the federal gift tax rules. This includes payments directly made for education, books, supplies, and other related living expenses. Charitable gifts and gifts to your spouse are also not taxed.

There is no limit on the number of people you can make gifts to. You can keep on giving until your money runs out.


Gift Down Payment

A gift of down payment money

If you have wealthy relatives generous enough to help you with your down payment, you are lucky.

Before you accept the money for down payment as a gift and transfer any funds from someone else’s account into yours, check with the lender about documentation.

The lender wants a copy of the gift check and a copy of a statement showing that it was deposited into your funds.

The lender wants a gift letter from the donor saying something like: Enclosed is a check for $5,000 to my son Paul, to be used toward the down-payment on his home. This is a gift, not a loan. I do not expect repayment. Signed Jack. The lender would also like to see a copy of the check.

Some lenders even want documentation regarding the account that the gift check is coming from, or a signed form from a bank official documenting the funds leaving the donor's account.


Personalized Gift Label

These days, more and more people are discovering the importance of adding the all-important personal touch. So, many gift delivery services allow you to customize and personalize your gifts. In this day of stiff competition, you absolutely need a gift service that allows personalization.

Personalized labels allow you to customize the gift and make it very unique. There are many gifts that can be personalized such as: personalized paper products, Personalized wine makes, personalized return address labels,
Personalized bottled water for weddings, Personalized favor tags, Personalized Christmas Gifts, Personalized Birthday, Beer Bottle Label, Personalized Candle Gifts, Personalized Chocolate Gift and Personalized Cigars, just to name a few. With personalized gifts, you can print your personal message on an authentic label and deliver it as a gift.


Gift Packaging (Gift Wrap)

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.

Gift packaging is not at the top of everyone’s priority list. however, it should be when considering a gift for some one.
Don’t underestimate the power of the packaging. By making the whole gift package look as appealing as possible, this will of course make all the difference to the recipient as he or she will appreciate the extra effort and attention to detail.

The presentation of the gift is just as important as the gift itself. The luxury gift packaging is the first element the recipient will see so it is essential that this creates a lasting impression.
Is is better to wrap or to pack the gift?. Choosing the right gift packaging is essential - a mistake here means a negative impact on the overall appearance of your gift. Nobody likes to receive a poorly packaged gift. It just gives the impression that the giver ‘couldn’t be bothered’ and may end up disappointing the recipient. Therefore, spend some time to consider the best gift packaging option.


Gift Delivery

The best way to give a gift is by hand. When that is not possible, you need a professional service that understands the importance of the gesture and takes it very seriously.

Such a service will not need instructions regarding taking out the price tag or adding a personal greeting card. These niceties would be a part of their regular customer service.

Gift Delivery During the Christmas Season

It you want to ship your Christmas gift, you should ship your package during the first half of December. Give your gift plenty of time to arrive at its destination during this exceptionally busy time of year. If your gift shipment is during the last ten days before Christmas, be sure that your recipient is going to be at home or work.


Last minute gift delivery

Many retailers offer last-minute gift delivery, especially if you order online. Here are some tips to make sure that the gift gets to the destination on time:

Shoppe from a reputable retailer is one of the easiest ways to make sure your gift can get to your friend or loved one at the last minute. If you choose a local retailer that does not have a store near where the recipient lives, then the retailer will have to rely on a shipping service in order to get your gift to its destination. This can cause shipping delays because the shipping service has to pick the gift from the retailer and then send it through its system in order to get it to where you want it to go.

Before shopping online and making a purchase, be sure to take note of shipping times and the shipping policy listed on the website. If you are trying to shop at the last minute before a major holiday, take note of the last day you can order and still guarantee delivery by the holiday date.

Another option is to purchase the gift and then mail it overnight. This can be expensive, but it can be worth it if it will ensure that your package will get to its destination on time and intact. Make sure that the service you purchase guarantees a delivery date.


Gift Receipt

Receipts may be presented as proof of a transaction for the purpose of exchanging or returning merchandise. Some retailers provide special "gift receipts" specifically for this purpose. Unlike a standard purchase receipt, the gift receipt omits certain information, most notably the price that was paid for an item. The receipt usually has a barcode along the bottom so that the retailer can call up the transaction information from a database of previous purchases, thus authenticating a return.


Gift Exchange

Gift exchanges can be fun or very frustrating, depending on how you decide to organize it. It’s good to set the ground rules from the beginning so people know what to expect.

For most of the following exchanges, you can apply the “Dirty Santa” approach. This is when you determine a gift order by either drawing numbers, age, seniority, birthdays, etc. The first person opens a present, and the second person can either steal the opened present or pick one from the pile. It is good to set a limit on how many times a gift can only be stolen and cannot be stolen directly from the person who stole it from them. This way, the most people have a chance of ending up with something they actually like, and it is more entertaining than just watching everyone open up one present.


Gift Swap, Yankee Swap, White Elephant gift exchange, Dirty Santa

Whether you call it a Yankee Swap, a White Elephant gift exchange, or Dirty Santa, it's a lot more entertaining than drawing names or buying small gifts for everyone on your shopping list.

Any group of people exchanging gifts can have a Yankee Swap. A Yankee Swap simplifies shopping since you only have to buy one gift.

Instead of drawing names, players in a Yankee Swap buy a gift without knowing who they're shopping for. At the swap, players open gifts one at a time, and they can steal from each other instead of opening a new gift.

A Yankee Swap gift exchange adds a lot of fun to your Christmas party. You have no idea what gift you'll go home with, and it's hilarious watching people vamp the gifts they want to unload, or pout if a steal is threatened on one they want.
If you are participating in a gift swap of any kind, you’ll want to think about what you buy. Here are a few tips:

Be thoughtful. Unless you are specifically asked to bring a gag gift, it’s safer to buy something you think someone will enjoy. Embarrassing a co-worker might not be the best option.

Follow the spending guidelines. You could make others uncomfortable if you go over the spending limit.

If you are buying for a specific person in a name-drawing swap, find out something about that person and try to buy something he or she will appreciate. If you know the person is a big movie buff, a gift card to a theater might be just the, well, ticket. If you’re participating in an anonymous gift exchange, you’ll be safer buying a gift card to a type of store that is universally enjoyed, rather than a specialty store.

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