giftgiver

A gift giver is an individual who provides gifts to another person or group. The term is neutral and broad, encompassing everyday presents among friends and family as well as formal acts within institutions. Gift giving can occur openly or as part of ritual, and the choice of gifts often reflects the relationship, cultural norms, and the occasion.

In anthropology and sociology, gift exchange analyzes the social obligations that accompany giving, receiving, and reciprocating. Marcel Mauss argued that gifts create bonds and impose reciprocal expectations, shaping alliances and status. Cultural practices such as the potlatch or dowry systems illustrate how gift giving can regulate wealth, power, and kinship. Beyond material objects, gifts can be symbolic messages, tokens of gratitude, or signals of affiliation, identity, or belonging.

Modern contexts include charitable giving and philanthropy, corporate gifting, and digital or experiential gifts. Motivations vary from altruism and relational maintenance to signaling generosity or achieving social capital. Gift giving can strengthen social ties but may also create debt, obligation, or pressure to reciprocate, particularly in close relationships or community networks. Understanding the roles and expectations around gift giving helps explain its functions in cultures and individuals.

See also: gift economy; reciprocity; prosocial behavior; gift card. Ethical considerations in philanthropic giving, authenticity of gifts, and cultural differences in etiquette are common topics in discussions of gift giving.