Gift Giving

Gift-giving is a natural element of every memorable event, and it is an experience shared by people from many cultures throughout the world. While you may have given careful consideration to the gift you are purchasing for that particular someone, you may not have considered why we give gifts in the first place. Gifts are not just objects we simply give one another. Gifts can have deeper symbolic meaning, help in maintaining relationships, and expressing feelings. Giving and receiving gifts is a way of communicating and fostering social bonds. This post dives into the history of gift-giving, the psychology behind gift-giving, and concludes with some ‘must shop’ gifts this season. So, here goes:

History of Gift-Giving

The history of gift-giving has been traced all the way back to cavemen! It had a vital role in their society, especially in terms of establishing dominance, being respected, and beginning a family.

Tribal leaders would frequently present gifts to anyone who had done something significant for their tribe. This allowed them to express their gratitude for the individual while also rewarding them for their accomplishment. Ordinary cavemen, on the other hand, frequently presented gifts to show their power and devotion. Giving a gift to another person signified a caveman’s capacity to maintain and care for his family, which made it highly appealing to females! It also made other cavemen admire them since their gift-giving implied authority and achievement.

Teeth and stones, which were considered treasures at the time, were common gifts among cavemen. These gifts were well-received since they could be carved into something particular for the recipient, such as a necklace or other piece of jewelry, and proudly shown to the rest of the tribe!

Psychology Behind Gift-Giving

There are three (3) reasons why we give gifts:

1. We as human beings feel socially obliged to give – generosity is a part of our nature.
2. Once we receive a gift, we are socially obliged to receive that gift, and following this:
3. We feel obliged to repay the favor.

On one hand, we give gifts because of altruistic reasons. Altruism means doing something selflessly to benefit the well-being of others. You buy a gift for someone so that he or she feels appreciated. However, giving also makes the giver feel good. Giving gifts can also be a way of self-enhancement. The gift-giver feels generous and valuable so, what does a good gift-giver look like?

Some people are better at giving gifts than others. A good gift-giver follows a certain social pattern. We advise you to be creative with your choice of gift and empathetic towards the receiver. We advise you to use your time and effort intuitively. Is there such a thing as a perfect gift?

Characteristics of a Gift

Research suggests that the perfect gift should have the following five (5) characteristics:

1. Thoughtful – The finest gifts usually take a significant amount of time and effort. A gift recipient should be able to tell if you paid attention to their needs or carefully considered their aspirations before making a purchase.
2. Meaningful – The finest gifts are associated with special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, milestone moments such as birthdays, and cultural celebrations such as Christmas, among other things. The person should be reminded of the sentimental meaning of the gift when they see, wear or use their gift.
3. Surprising – There is no thrill if there is no element of surprise. The finest gifts should surprise the recipient in terms of its nature, timeliness, magnitude, or all three.
4. Unique – From antiques to the most recent innovations, limited edition, particularly, hard-to-find items will always be appealing. They have a sense of rarity about them, which adds to the value of a gift. This isn’t the kind of thing a person would come upon on their own.
5. Useful – Your gift should do more than simply enable consumption; it should also improve the recipient in some manner. A helpful gift is one that will play a larger and more regular role in the lives of the recipient.

Shop Gifts at Blue Nile

It’s Blue Nile‘s 22nd Birthday and what better way to save for the upcoming giving months of Thanksgiving and Christmas than with taking advantage of pre-season sales. Save up to 30% on jewelry at Blue Nile.

Gift Option 1: Peridot White Gold Jewelry

August is the month of peridot. Shop Peridot Jewelry in 14K White Gold:

Peridot Stud Earrings in 14k White Gold at        Blue Nile.	Peridot Solitaire Pendant in 14k White Gold at Blue Nile.	Peridot Cushion Cocktail Ring in 14k White Gold at Blue Nile.

Gift Option 2: Eternity Rings in Platinum

Celebrate the brilliance of love with a regal array of diamonds set in timeless platinum. Shop Eternity Rings in Platinum:

Princess Cut Diamond Eternity Ring in Platinum at Blue Nile.	Blue Nile Signature Diamond Eternity Ring in Platinum at Blue Nile.	Oval Cut Diamond Eternity Ring in Platinum at Blue Nile.

Gift Option 3: Yellow Gold Jewelry

Accentuate the gift-giving moment with everlasting gold jewelry. Shop Yellow Gold Jewelry:

Delicate Pavé Split Bar Diamond Fashion Ring in 14k Yellow Gold at Blue Nile.	Diamond Stud Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold at Blue Nile.	French Pavé Diamond Eternity Ring in 14k Yellow Gold at Blue Nile.

Spending hours of your life finding the perfect gift for someone may not be the best strategy. That is why we at PriceScope are here to help and guide you when it comes to shopping for gifts, particularly diamonds and jewelry.

What is the best gift you have received? or What is the best gift you have given? Let us know (click the comments button below.)

• Please Follow Us on Instagram – @pricescopeinc
• Please Follow Us on Facebook – @pricescope
• Please Follow Us on Twitter – @PriceScopeInc

Written by Bianca Mac Donald