Christmas is a holiday of love, family and, last but not least, gifts. And while some rush to the shops until the last minute to secure all the gifts, others treat gift-giving as one of the best traditions of the year.
But what lies behind this ritual? Why do we give gifts and how has this custom changed over time? ARD takes a look at the anthropological reasons for gift-giving, especially at Christmas.
Gift-giving is an ancient ritual
Gift-giving is among the oldest social practices of humanity. Cultural anthropologist Timo Heimerdinger explains to the German public media that gift-giving is not just a one-sided kindness, but a complex social exchange. "We are talking about an exchange of gifts - i.e. every gift requires something in return."
Respectively, gifts establish mutual obligations that strengthen the relationship between the participants. This is not just about the material value, but also about the social connection that arises through the gift.
Buy, buy, buy!
In recent decades, gift-giving, especially in wealthy societies, has changed a lot. Heimerdinger criticizes the fact that the ritual is increasingly influenced by capitalist consumer logic. The pressure to give something material often leads to people buying completely standard products at the last minute. "You have to buy because no one wants to be left empty-handed," Heimerdinger summarizes to ARD.
But there is also a counter-trend - many people are looking for ways to free themselves from the compulsion to consume. Instead of buying expensive gifts, they try to come up with something individual.
Handmade gifts, which testify to a personal relationship, or time spent together, are alternatives that go beyond consumer logic. This type of gift-giving emphasizes the emotional and personal value of the gift and brings the relationship between people to the fore, notes the German public media.
Children and gift-giving
Gift-giving plays a special role when it comes to children. According to Heimerdinger, giving gifts to children only became established in the 19th century, when childhood began to be seen as an independent phase of life.
At that time, the idea of security and harmony was established as one of the main values of the family. Gifts became an expression of love and recognition, intended to encourage the development of children. Today, for many children, Christmas is the most important event of the year, when they receive not only material gifts, but also attention and love from their family.
What does a successful gift look like?
According to Heimerdinger, it is often not the material value that is important, but the manifestation of warmth. A successful gift reflects the relationship between people and shows that the giver has thought about what to give.
The expert tells ARD that a special tradition has become established in his family: every year his wife makes a calendar with photos of the joint moments during the past year. This gift has high emotional value and reminds the family of the wonderful shared moments.
Gift-giving as an expression of connectedness
Gift-giving at Christmas is much more than a consumer ritual - it is an expression of connectedness, closeness and mutual social influence. While in our modern society the material aspect often comes to the fore, science reveals that the value of a gift often lies in its emotional significance.
Whether it is handmade, individually chosen or in the form of time spent together - a gift that comes from the heart is remembered and strengthens interpersonal relationships.
And do animals give each other gifts?
In the animal world, there are also relationships that resemble gift-giving - but usually there is no conscious symbolism behind them, Heimerdinger explains to ARD. Many animals provide food to their fellow animals - for example when courting them or to create a social bond. Penguins offer their partners pebbles, chimpanzees share food under certain circumstances. Science has long studied these gestures.
One thing is clear: they show how deeply rooted acts of exchange are in nature. When animals give something, it strengthens bonds, encourages cooperation, and serves the same role as human gifts - keeping relationships alive.
Authors: Frank Wittich | Richard Kraft