Gift

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.

The extent to which the clause "without requiring something in return" really applies may vary. Reciprocity is common and often socially almost compulsory.

In Roman mythology, Clementia was the goddess of forgiveness and mercy.

See also: Alms, Altruism, Atonement, Charity, Debt relief, Tip.