Presentation & Occasions

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 charity
* Expression of solidarity, in the form of mutual aid
* To share wealth
* To offset misfortune
* Offering travel souvenirs
* Custom, on occasions (often celebrations) such as
o A birthday (the person who has his or her birthday gives cake, etc. and/or receives gifts) This is most commonly from a family member or girlfriend/boyfriend.
o A potlatch, in societies where status is associated with gift-giving rather than acquisition.
o Christmas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Santa Claus)
o Saint Nicholas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Saint Nicholas)
o A wedding (the couple receives gifts and gives food and/or drinks at the wedding reception)
o A wedding anniversary (each spouse receives gifts)
o A funeral (visitors bring flowers, the relatives of the deceased give food and/or drinks after the ceremonial part)
o A birth (the baby receives gifts, or the mother receives a gift from the father known as a push present)
o Passing an examination (the student receives gifts)
o Father's Day (the father receives gifts)
o Mother's Day (the mother receives gifts)
o Exchange of gifts between a guest and a host, often a traditional practice
o Giving a round of drinks in a bar.
o Lagniappe