A gift or present is the transfer of money or goods without requiring something in return; by extension it can be anything that makes the other more happy or less sad, especially as a favor, including forgiveness, and kindness (even when the other is not kind).
The background may be:
- someone has more than another
- something bad happened to another
- expression of love or friendship
- expression of gratitude for a gift received
- custom, on occasions such as
- a birthday (the person who has his or her birthday gives cake, etc. and/or receives gifts)
- Father's Day (the father receives gifts)
- Mother's Day (the mother receives gifts)
- Christmas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Santa Claus)
- Saint Nicholas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Saint Nicholas)
- a wedding (the couple receives gifts and gives food and/or drinks at the wedding reception)
- a birth (the baby receives gifts)
- passing an examination (the student receives gifts)
- supplying food and/or drinks to someone invited in the home
- giving a round of drinks in a Bar (establishment).
In Roman mythology, Clementia was the goddess of forgiveness and mercy.
See also: Alms, Altruism, Atonement, Charity, Debt relief, TANSTAAFL, Tip.
