Sparkling ribbons and hefty price tags, despite having overwhelmed the modern definition of gift giving, deviate from the core purpose of the tradition: showing appreciation. Exchanging gifts is valued in innumerable cultures, from the baskets of oranges that represent wealth and fortune exchanged on Chinese New Year to the Diwali gifts that exemplify the companionship central to the festival of lights. Receiving gifts is also a love language, and gifting elaborate handmade items or simple bowls of cut fruit are some of the ways that people articulate their feelings for each other when they are uncomfortable with doing so verbally. Furthermore, gift giving has a positive psychological effect on both the giver and the receiver by making them feel appreciated and strengthening their interpersonal relationships. 

The negative aspects of gift giving are eliminated if the practice of exchanging gifts is separated from the desire to partake in consumer culture. The increase in holiday trash could be mitigated by excluding wrapping paper and shopping at thrift stores. The stress that accompanies buying ostentatious, unaffordable designer clothing or electronics could easily be avoided by realizing that it isn’t actually mandatory to buy something new. Indeed, public opinion echoes this sentiment of shifting away from equating gifts to purchasing new items — polls show that 63% of U.S. adults and a survey of 163 MVHS students showed that 49%  prefer experiences, like a ticket to a concert or a day at the beach, over new items as gifts. 

Condemning the practice of giving gifts as a whole in the name of consumerism is overlooking the many benefits of showing appreciation for fellow human beings. The mindless consumption of material goods is an issue that plagues every corner of society, and endless Black Friday and Christmas sales only exacerbate this issue. Realizing that giving a gift doesn’t necessarily mean blowing cash on a new item, however, will add depth to a method of gratitude and appreciation as old as humanity itself. 

So this holiday season, rather than stressing over the limits of your bank account, opt to consider the aspects of a person that truly make you grateful for them, and make something, buy them a second-hand item or take them on an outing to represent that. Because the true value of gift giving has nothing to do with the price tag and everything to do with how it makes someone feel.