Why Gifts As A Symbol of Love

Gifts have always been an essential way of conveying love. If you look at any culture across the world, the act of gifting is a fundamental aspect of social life.

Whether you are wealthy or poor, people seek ways to show their love. Gary Chapman, the author of Five Languages of Love, says that gifts are a symbol of love. Gifts need not be expensive. They can be purchased, found, or even made.

While my love language is quality time and receiving gifts. For me and many others, giving and receiving gifts offers tremendous joy. I often hear friends say, "I'm not big on gifts. I never grew up with gifts." Well, truth is that I didn't either. Most of my joy with gifts came from giving gifts, and in turn, I realized how to receive gifts.

The enjoyment of gifts is rarely talked about openly. People fear being judged as pretentious or blamed for focusing on the wrong thing. The reality is that gifts can satisfy someone's craving to receive or give love in significant ways.

Gifts can represent an emotional investment in each other. Here are two genuine reasons why gifts are a symbol of love and why your significant other may get so emotional about giving and receiving gifts.

Something You Can Hold in Your Hand

Gifts are something you can go back to and hold in your hand. They are a physical reminder of someone who thought of you and cared for you. They can rekindle the same feelings and sentiment of love that was shared when you received it. A new mom may hold a baby blanket given to her by her mother and remember the care and time her mom spent making it. A son may hold his first baseball club that his dad gave him and remember that time they played ball in the backyard all day. A promise ring from a lover may invite thoughts about the commitment you made to one another and spark feelings of excitement and love.

A Visual Symbol of Love

Most family and wedding rituals have a moment of gifting. That is because gifts represent a visual symbol of love. These can be more important to some people than others. That is why some people hold on to objects longer than others. It is also why some people wear their wedding rings while others don’t. The value people place on gifts will vary based on their need for a visual symbol of love. Without these visual symbols, they may question or feel empty of love.

An Investment in Your Love

For most, the gift itself isn’t as important as the act of thinking about the gift and the time it takes to put it together. A gift symbolizes a person’s ability to grasp an understanding of what the other person likes or dislikes. It represents a willingness to break away from the monotony to think about someone and their needs. It shows a level of consideration for someone else other than yourself. Above all, the anticipation that you build up represents a commitment to the excitement you wish to keep up in your relationship.

Giving and receiving gifts spark different feelings. However, the ideas above work both ways. Thinking about what you want to give to someone physically to signify your love, picking out the object and offering it to them in their hands, and hearing the appreciation for the time and energy spent thinking about them are all reasons why gift-giving is so enjoyable. So, next time someone complains about a gift or asks about what to gift someone, consider that it is more than a selfish act or a waste of money, but rather an emotional investment in each other.

Love, Sahana