Thinking about gifting, giving is better than receiving, right?

Remember that episode of Friends – the one where Joey says to Phoebe there’s no such thing as a truly selfless deed, but no matter how hard she tries, all her acts of kindness make her feel GOOD? There might just be something in that, you know.

The act of gifting has existed since… forever. Early record show that Egyptians were buried with goods or gifts needed in the afterlife, Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and the United States engaged in the tradition of potlatch – a gift-giving feast to display generosity, and in Ancient Greece elaborate, decorative gifts were given to build emotion or build relationships.

So, let’s get into it. What drives us to gift?

The Social Bonding Aspect

Gift-giving is a powerful way to build and maintain relationships. According to the Journal of Consumer Research, the thoughtfulness behind selecting a gift helps create stronger connections between people. It’s a win-win situation: the giver feels happy and fulfilled in choosing the perfect gift, while the recipient feels valued and appreciated.

“From the initial call all the way to delivery updates, our experience with DBHF has been amazing. Hannah and Steph offered great flexibility when creating our orders, they responded to every query helpfully and promptly. It honestly felt like I had 2 friends working alongside our team and we’re excited to wow even more of our Employers with DBHF’s help!” – Octopus Money

The Reciprocity Aspect

Reciprocity plays a big role in the tradition of gifting. Social exchange theory suggests that relationships are like a balance sheet—we weigh the effort we put in against what we get in return. Gifting often creates a give-and-take cycle, where receiving a gift generates a sense of obligation to return the favour. This exchange reinforces social norms and helps keep relationships balanced.

The Emotional Aspect

Gifting isn’t just about making others happy; it’s about feeling good yourself. Research from Harvard Business School shows that spending money on others, including through gifts, increases our happiness more than spending on ourselves. This “warm glow” (we know it well!) effect is a testament to the emotional rewards that come from being kind and generous.

The Cultural Aspect

Cultural backgrounds deeply influence how we give and receive gifts. Some cultures prefer practical gifts, while others lean towards the sentimental. Understanding these cultural differences is key to making sure your gift is well-received. After all, what’s appropriate in one culture might be misunderstood in another.

The Meaningful Aspect

Sociologist Marcel Mauss highlighted in his work “The Gift” how gifting is packed with social and cultural significance, making it a powerful way to connect with others. Gifts are often more than just objects—they’re symbols of affection and effort. Whether it’s a personalised item or something handmade, gifts carry meanings that go beyond their material value. They communicate emotions and messages that words sometimes can’t. Add a hand-written, heart-felt gift tag, and you’ve got yourself something really special! 

So, there we have it. It’s win-win all round. Take a look at our corporate gifting options: https://www.dontbuyherflowers.com/corporate-gifting/