Giving gifts Only to get something in return?

Honestly, I get a kick out of surprising people with a present ... especially when they don't expect one. Cause folks, sort of expect to receive something for their birthday or anniversary ... but when they receive something just because someone was thinking about them ... now that surprised expression that comes over their face is PRICELESS! Don't get me wrong though, I do love receiving gifts also, I just enjoy the whole gift giving process ... 8o)

That really does not make any sense to me. If you are giving a gift just to get one in return, then why not just go out and buy yourself something that you want? Otherwise, you might not like the gift that you are given, and if that is the only reason to give someone else a gift, then it would just make more sense to buy yourself a gift that you know that you would like. I really get excited about buying gifts, especially when I know that the person is really going to like the gift. In fact, I had to stop buying presents early, because I would get so excited to see their faces when they got their gift that I wouldn't wait until the special occasion and give it to them early. Then I would have to go out and get them something else, especially if it was for Christmas and I could not hold out and gave it to them in July or something like that.

My husband is kind of like that. He does something for you....he expects you to do something in return, and will hold it over your head until you do so! I have told him many times that you don't "give" with the intention of getting...you "give" cause it is what you want to do and what makes you feel good and right. If you "get" in return, that just makes it all the more nicer. But don't give intending to get..often you won't get and then you'll just be mad. He does this to the kids often. And the kids have finally caught on and don't even ask for help or adivse of anything from him. Just recently, he offered to help our daughter move and she didn't take him up on it. At the same time he offered to store some of her keepsake totes in our garage as she is going to an apartment. She did take him up on that, but he gripped at me for days about it and how he doesn't have time and now doesn't have room etc. I told him..."why did you offer to store them if you didnt really want to? Good grief, you get mad if they don't accept your help and the get mad at them when they do accept your help....and you wonder why they don't accept very often?" That hit him in the head a little bit as he did go over and pick up the totes, but still...gripped all the while here in our garage as we are moving and now have to pay extra to the movers for those totes. Again I told him..."you knew that is how it was going to be..yet you offered."

Maybe you disagree with me, but I think a gift is not important. What matters is your sincerity in living relationships. As long as you are loyal and love one another, whatever expensive gift in the form of matter altogether worthless.

I rather give a gift then receive one. When my birthday comes around I always say the same thing, I do not want anything. All I want is for my children to be with me. Now, I said that to my wife at the time and I say it now to my girlfriend. I would rather give a gift then get one myself. To me, just being alive and happy is enough.

In the world,one country differs greatly from the others in custom.I don't know about you,but here we take it seriously that deal with one as he deals with you.For example,somebody's parent passes away,his relatives and friends may give him a present.It is the same for someone's son or daughter to go to college.Everyone is both giver and receiver.People seldom reckon up how much they have given or received during a year.I guess they are not equal in amount.

Not me!! Why would I want to give a gift to get a gift? Isn't that the same as buying something with your own money? Or am I hoping to give a small gift, and get a large one? Then the OTHER person is doing something out of the kindness of their heart, and *I* (I'm being hypothetical here) would be the one receive the "gift of kindness." I know of a few people who give and receive gifts at Christmas, just for show, and to make them look more generous than they are, but who will not go any further than they think they have to, because they don't want to "lose" anything.

I don't expect anything in return.....I just like giving gifts to people....certain people that is. I do quit giving to people that can't say thank you or whom I never get anything in return.....like after years of giving. There has only been on person in my life that did the later.....and that is my brother and his wife!

hi sarah, i think with that kind of thought in mind, it would be spoiling the very core of gift giving. we give gifts so that it will be appreciated. and a thank you would be so nice to hear. or a shriek saying "i love this"! ann

You should give a gift because you want to. this feeling of generosity should come from your heart. you should not have expectations to be getting something in return for giving s gift. that takes the true meaning of the gift away.

Sadly, there are people just like that around here. They make it a point to give you a gift around Christmas, and they expect a gift in return. It becomes an obligation! Which really destroys the spirit of gift-giving in the first place. I've slowly disassociated myself from these people this year. Hopefully, I don't hear from them this Christmas.

I am with you! I have never given a gift so that I get one in return! I truly like helping people & giving to others. In a way, by giving a gift, you recieve a feeling of happiness or pleasure. giving should warm anyones heart up! I believe giving makes us better people too. :)-