Gifts are material items which are made or obtained, then given to represent various sentiments. Gift giving can be random, or may correlate with a special event, social occasion, achievement or holiday. Some gifts may simply represent remembrance or commemoration while others celebrate a momentous occurrence or rite of passage such as a birthday, graduation, anniversary, promotion or new home. Newlyweds setting up a household may enroll in a gift registry which helps family and friends select wanted and needed items to gift. While graduates may prefer a gift card containing currency which they can spend when they arrive to their new school, job or lifestyle.http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/new-economy/2010/0601/Top-8-graduation-gifts

Often gift giving is an expression of courtesy. However there are times when gifts are given under specific circumstances and may be part of a traditional exchange or ritual. The ritual of Japanese wedding gifts, for example, dictates that the bride and groom provide hand crafted gifts to wedding guests.http://www.worldlyweddings.com/japanese-traditions-a/128.htm While gifts require some degree of monetary expenditure, some creative gift giving ideas may save money. It can be difficult to spend the mental energy, not to mention money, on finding the perfect gift. Sometimes a gift guide, specialty shop or distinctive website can provide the inspiration to find gifts and enjoy the process of giving while fulfilling an obligation. Gift giving opportunities include Christmas, Valentine's Day, birthdays, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Hannukah, weddings, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, or a new baby.