Helpful Better Gift Giving Holidays information will be listed here to guide you in the right direction. We specialize in providing you with all the research done and tied with a pretty bow. All you need to do is un-wrap the “present” and enjoy the surprises. First, let’s find out where Giving Gifts in America began.
Every culture, including America, has their own traditions & customs in regards to gifting. Traditionally, the holiday season in America is surrounded by family, food, decorations, and gifts. American culture is considered casual and laid-back compared to many others, however there are still gifting etiquette tips to consider. We will cover that a bit later.
Better Gift Giving Holidays & Events
There are many gift giving holidays and various other significant life events in American culture. They are usually celebrated with a gift or some form of a gesture of appreciation. Generally, gift giving is never really required, but if you feel you should give a gift, by all means go for it. Depending on your situation, you and the receiver of the gift will consider your appreciation appropriate.
New Year’s Eve/Day
New Year’s Gifts often express affection and let the receiver know that you are thinking of them. Christmas has became the most popular gift giving holiday, but New Year’s is the day to treat your family and friends with gifts as well. This is a traditional thought giving good wishes to embark on a fresh new year that symbolize wealth, prosperity, fertility or luck. Generally, a gift of wine is greatly appreciated.
Valentine’s Day
February 14th is devoted to love and celebrated annually. Appreciation to loved ones on this day is shown by flowers, greeting cards, romantic gestures, or other gifts of love. According to my research, Valentine’s Day originally started as a Christian feast in honor of Valentinus. It was recognized as a significant religious, cultural, and celebration of culture and romance in many regions globally.
Easter
This Christian holiday celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date of Easter in the United States can differ one year to the next. However, it always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Easter is celebrated with gifts for children, candy filled gift baskets, and Easter egg hunts and festivities with special family gatherings.
Mother’s Day
Celebrates all mothers and motherhood annually on the second Sunday in May. Mothers are shown great appreciation with gifts and gestures for all the tender love and care to families throughout.
Father’s Day
Is an annual celebration that falls on the third Sunday in June. Father’s Day honors all fathers and father figures with gifts or gestures that show great appreciation for their love and support.
Winter holidays
There are many major religious gift giving holidays that take place in December. Christmas is celebrated by Christian and non-Christian minorities , while other holidays such as the multi-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah and the African American holiday of Kwanzaa. These holidays are emphasized by gift giving and cultural traditions of decorating, food, and various other observances.
Bridal Showers and Weddings
There are multiple gift giving occasions attached to weddings, such as bridal showers along with the wedding day itself. The arrival of a new baby is also another life event that usually provides registry information as to where you can choose from a selected list of gifts requested by the couple of honor. These registry details are usually included with your invitation. Wedding and bridal registries most often include things for the couple’s home to begin their life journey.
Baby showers
Baby showers are planned for a couple expecting a baby, and a great gift giving event . This helps new parents prepare for the next stage in their life with gifts for the new infant to assist the parents. This is a great way to stock up on items such as diapers, baby clothes, or more substantial gifts like cribs and car seats. Usually, gift registries of pre-selected gift options chosen by the new parents are included with your invitation.
Anniversaries, Birthdays, New Homes, Graduations, or other life events
Gifts can be expected at celebrations honoring a person’s major life event. Any gift for these milestones do not need to be big, but they should reflect the personality of the gift recipient.
Gifting Etiquette
In many cultures, there are specific rules on gift giving. Although, these rules are not as strict in the United States. But, it’s still helpful to know some of these customs. Keep in mind that situations vary on whether or not a gift is appropriate. Mostly, it dependents on your relationship with the recipient of the gift and generally exchanged between family or close friends. If you’re unsure, just ask someone close to the recipient what they might like for the occasion.
What to give
We are pretty generous when it comes to gift giving. For instance, when you are invited to someone’s home for the first time, housewarming gifts are given as a token of friendship. This is greatly appreciated but not always expected. If you’re unsure what to give, you can’t go wrong with a gift that represents your home country, food such as chocolates or baked goods, or a bottle of fine wine is a nice choice.
How to Provide Better Gift Giving Holidays
It is best to provide the gifts as soon as you arrive and make sure it’s wrapped in paper or a gift bag. Also, there may be a designated table where you can drop off your gift. It’s not uncommon to open gifts right away.
Don’t ask the recipient what gift they would like unless it’s a close relative or friend. This may make the recipient uncomfortable and feel that they need to reciprocate and give a gift in return. Consider their hobbies or interests instead, or ask someone else that knows them what they would enjoy. Don’t forget to include a gift receipt. This gives them the opportunity to exchange the gift with something that might suit them better. It doesn’t mean that your gift isn’t appreciated, but it ensures that your gift will be enjoyed.
What to expect
They say “it is better to give than receive”, which makes us happy. It is better to give a gift to someone and not expect anything back in return. Sometimes, I think it makes me more happy knowing that I gave extra thought and attention to the perfect gift for that person.
Be sure to thank the person giving you the gift, either verbally or by sending a thank you card later. Depending on the occasion, you can ask them if they want you to open the gift in front of them, or wait until later. Be sure to give them positive comments showing them it’s just what you needed.
If you receive a gift by mail, be sure to contact them and let them know that you received the gift. You may be uncomfortable if you don’t have anything to give in return, but you can always send a gift later. What’s important is your gratitude but the gift-giver may only be looking for a simple thank-you in return.
How much to spend
We tend to spend any amount that we are most comfortable with, so don’t worry about what the other person is spending. Most people receiving gifts are not concerned about how much money is spent, but rather the effort and thought that you have taken the time to think of them. Some people feel uncomfortable when receiving expensive gifts from anyone outside of their immediate family. So don’t get out of control and try to impress anyone. Think before you spend and spend wisely.
Gift giving in the workplace
Before you give gifts at your place of work, remember to ask what the workplace protocol may be. Gifts can be a great way to build or maintain a working relationship, but it’s best to know your company’s policy first.
Gifts to clients or customers – Be sure to check and see if your client is even permitted to accept gifts from business associates. Many companies have a policy about receiving business gifts. Outside of the holiday season, it’s not common practice to give a gift as a thank you or when meeting a customer for the first time.
If allowed, try to be thoughtful and creative, but also know that not everyone celebrates the same holidays that you do. So, be sensitive and try to understand other cultures to avoid an awkward situation. Also, you don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, so avoid personal or extravagant gifts which can be misinterpreted.
Appropriate gifts for business include:
- Event tickets
- A catered lunch or meal at a nice restaurant
- Gift baskets of fruit or food
- A nice bottle of fine wine
- Manufactured items by your company
- Items like candy or baked goods that can be shared
- Potted plants or flowers
- Personalized stationary or calendar
Coworker Gift exchange
Gift exchanges such as “White Elephant” or “Secret Santa” have become increasingly popular during the winter holidays in the workplace. These kind gift exchanges save you from having to buy a gift for everyone in the office. The Secret Santa gift exchange also allows you only buy a gift for one randomly assigned person. Usually, the identity of the gift-giver will not be known until after the gift exchange.
However, there is an extra layer of fun added to the White Elephant gift exchange. Those participating must bring in one wrapped gift that anyone in the office might enjoy. They can either pick an unwrapped gift from the under the tree, or “steal” a previous player’s gift. Also, the player’s gift that was stolen is then able to do the same.
There are some supervisors or upper management that use the winter holidays as a time to show their appreciation to the employees. This could possibly be a money bonus, catered lunch, group activity, or any small token of appreciation. It’s not expected for an employee to give a gift in return to their employer.
Gift giving is often a gesture of appreciation, friendship, love, or in celebration of milestone. Gifts are not always expected, but they should be received with gratitude and regardless of how someone feels about the actual gift itself.
So remember that gifts are thoughtful and meaningful and should always be cherished.
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