We all like giving and receiving gifts, especially on special occasions. The gift experience is something we treasure for a long time. Christmas gifts are an unquestionable phenomenon. In fact, people from all climes and faiths have the tradition of giving gifts. The Muslims give gifts to celebrate Eid, the Jews give gifts of chocolate coins to celebrate hanukkah. Ever wondered about the custom and meaning behind giving gifts?

The tradition of gift-giving embodies the essence of goodwill. Gifts are the means through which we express our deep feelings. There are times in everyone’s life when your heart is overflowing with love or gratitude or compassion. You want to shower your love on one and all alike. At such times words fall too short of the emotion behind them. It’s then you think of giving gifts.

But just as the offerings of the three wise men, gold, frankincense and myrrh, were tokens of something else, or even predictions of future events, our ordinary gifts for men and women we love are also indicative of something far removed from altruism.

Choosing an appropriate gift is a challenge. The right gift has nothing to do with the cost or the effort that goes into it. It may be the usual gifts or gifts that come out of unusual gift ideas. It is all about caring about the person for whom you want a special gift. When you love a person you know what would be appreciated and you select accordingly. It’s not about what you want to give as much as it is about what the recipient would like to receive. Gifts of love, like water, flow downward. You cannot and should not attempt to pay back what you have received. It’s better instead to pass it on to someone else. Gift-giving is a reciprocal chain that binds us to one another.