there have been several message strings about gifting and I got to thinking about the meaning of "gift". I learned the meaning many years ago when I spent some of my hard-earned money to purchase a hand knit poncho for my younger sister. On a later visit I learned that she never used it and I said I wanted it back. At that time my mother interceded and said: "a gift is given with no expectations and no obligations". I admit that I didn't under stand it then, but later experiences reinforced her definition...and the dictionary does as well -

gift –noun
1. something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.
2. the act of giving.
3. something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned: Those extra points he got in the game were a total gift.

–verb (used with object)
5. to present with as a gift; bestow gifts upon; endow with.
6. to present (someone) with a gift: just the thing to gift the newlyweds.

—Synonyms (means the same as..): donation, contribution, offering,

These discussion strings have refreshed my understanding of the word "Gift" and reminded me that when I give a gift, it goes with no expectations...not of thanks or appreciations or even use. It was a gift I chose to give, not one that the recipient has earned. If I expect something in return, even appreciation, it's not truly a gift.

Thanks for alll the comments in the other strings.

Great post, Kate!!

That is the best description. Thank you!!

Very nice! Thanks!

thank you just what i was thinking all day yesterday

Thank you. I loved my mother dearly but every time she would give something to one of her children, she would always say "if you ever decide to get rid of it, I want it back!" I really never felt comfortable with the items. In talking with my brother and sister, we discovered that we go overboard to make sure the recipient of any gift from us knows that it is theirs to do with what they want!

That's a good way to put it. Thanks!

gift is also the german word for poison. So it is funny receiving a parcel from the US having written "poison" on it :lol:

Point very well made-thank you!
Hugs
April

This goes along with the very gracious "Thank You"