Whenever there is any special occasion or something we will buy either a gift or a present. But these two are often not the same, and they have many differences. But many people do this because it is a must to do or else there will be a big reputation stake. There are also people doing it to show their respect towards another person.
Gift vs Present
The difference between Gift and Present is that gift is given to people on their own, and they will do this willingly. On the other hand, presents are given to the person just for the sake of formality. Gifts are even handmade so that they can showcase their love. But presents are usually not handmade, and they will be bought directly.
A gift is either a handmade one or paid one which we give to people we love. We will give them on their birthdays, parties, or special occasions. We can buy them particularly from a gift shop or from online shops. Giving gifts nowadays has become a tradition among people, and everybody is following them without failing. But the thing is, they are doing this willingly.
A present is more of a formal gift given to people only for the sake of being recognized somewhere, or they want to make any new contacts. This is not done by them willingly. Their present will also be more formal. It won’t look like a normal gift or another thing. Even these presents are not handmade. They usually buy directly from the shops.
Comparison Table Between Gift and Present
| Parameters of Comparison | Gift | Present |
| Definition | It is given to the person to showcase their joy and happiness | It is given more for the sake of formality |
| Derived from | Middle English | French |
| Handmade | Gifts are sometimes handmade | But presents are usually not handmade |
| Verb usage | It is a form of giving a gift | It is used for the form of presenting |
| Talent and ability | They are handmade sometimes so that they will show the talent and ability | They are not handmade so they won’t show any talent and ability |
What is Gift?
The gift is given to somebody on special occasions or if they achieve something. People give this with lots of joy in their hearts. It can be a handmade one, or you can buy it from a gift shop. Most people will give a gift on their birthday. There are two types of gift systems available. One is what we give to that person on their birthday, and the other is what we receive in the form of a return gift.
These kinds of gifts are even available in online shops as well. You can buy them directly from them from the comfort of your home, and they will even make gift wrapped. You can even send a special message. If you would like to make a handmade gift, then you can visit many YouTube videos for that. In that, it will contain lots of tutorials on handmade gifts. Some of them will be very easy, and some will be difficult to make. But whatever you make for your special ones, it will always be good for them.
These kinds of gifts system exist for many years. And kids will get excited whenever they hear they are going to get gifts on their birthday. When you give gifts, you will be very willing to give them. It won’t be as a formal gift or for the sake of attending their party. You will be very happy to give them what you bought for them. It can be either a paid one or a handmade one with lots of love.
What is Present?
A present is more like a formal form of a gift. Here people will give them because they have to do that to the other person. They even do this sometimes without being willing. Presents are mainly given in business meetings or any big profile parties. Because their people have to give them because they need to show that they care and respect their party.
Some people even give presents to introduce someone formally. Or it is a key to start a new business or to grow their existing business. Giving presents is more for respect. They are not usually handmade and are often bought directly from shops. Because these are not given to people out of love. They are just doing it for some purpose. Since they are not handmade, they don’t show any talent in the present given. Because if they, do it in their hand it will show some talent of the other person.
It is more like presenting themselves to that particular place. They will be presented and given more respect only if they go with a present in their hand. It can be even a handmade bouquet as well. It has become mandatory now. Also, it has become a new tradition as well like wherever they go or to make any new contacts they will go with a present.
Main Differences Between Gift and Present
- The gift is given to the person on their own and with their willingness. On the other hand, presents are given only for the sake of formality.
- Gifts are sometimes made by their own hand to show their love and affection. But presents are not usually handmade and are bought directly from the shops.
- Since gifts are handmade, they will showcase the talent and ability of the person. On the other hand, presents are not handmade, and they will not showcase any talents.
- When we see in the verb form, it is the form of giving the gift. But here, it represents something more formally.
- The word gift can be used as a birthday gift and the gift of life. On the other hand, the word present can be used as a Christmas present, new year present.
Conclusion
Giving a gift and present has become more of a tradition now. No matter wherever we go, we always carry either a gift or present with us for the other person. Some we do willingly and make more effort, and for some, we won’t make much effort, and we will just go and give it to them. But whatever we are planning to buy, everything is available online nowadays. People can just buy them from the comfort of their place.
Here gifts are also made by their own hands for the people they love most. Handmade gifts are considered to be very popular. There are even many online sites available where you can find handmade gifts if you are not sure of how to make them. Nowadays they have become important in our life.
References
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-Owens 6/publication/265218048_Minimum_Wage_Restrictions_and_Employee_Effort_in_Labor_Markets_with_Gift_Exchange_Present/links/54abf89c0cf2bce6aa1dd60a/Minimum-Wage-Restrictions-and-Employee-Effort-in-Labor-Markets-with-Gift-Exchange-Present.pdf
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/ecd7414eaea3ebd6f9a0d8051cf3ea39/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
