While the holidays are mostly about surrounding oneself with family and friends, gift-giving is a large part of it as well. During the holiday season, people spend a lot of time making Christmas wish lists, and checking off items they will be buying for others. Some people adore receiving gifts because they see it as an act of love, while others are satisfied just giving gifts and seeing how much they are appreciated.

Which person are you?

Many people argue that the act of giving gifts is much better than receiving them. Purchasing a present for a loved one makes a person feel better about themselves, and seeing the effect it has on the recipient makes for some holly jolly Christmas cheer. According to BigThink, gift giving results in prolonged happiness, and greater satisfaction. In an experiment with college students, 96 were given $5 a day for five days to spend on themselves or others, but they had to buy the same thing daily. After the experiment, students who continually bought for themselves had a decrease in happiness, while those who used the money on others reported an increase in happiness. The lesson to be learned is that giving leaves one with a feeling of satisfaction and joy in their lives; something we all need.

When interviewed by the Lancer Ledger, sophomore Emily Kurzyna said, “I love giving gifts because I always personalize them, and I like seeing the expressions on the faces of my friends and family.” Kurzuna brings up another positive impact of giving. The act of thoughtful gift giving can also strengthen connections and relationships – just ask Della and Jim from “The Gift of the Magi.”

On the other end of the gift process, are those individuals who thoroughly enjoy receiving gifts. Gift giving is one of the five love languages, according to author Gary Chapman. To some, this may seem greedy, claiming that the receivers are materialistic and value presents over people. However, this could not be farther from the truth. To those whose love language is gifts, they feel loved, or feel a demonstration of love from the item they receive.

When interviewed with the Lancer Ledger, freshman Sebastian Rodriguez explained that he likes receiving gifts, because he enjoys the thought behind it and the love that comes along with it. He, like many others, feels that the true meaning of gift giving isn’t the gift itself, but the feeling and importance behind it.

You may think receiving gifts is great. Who wouldn’t love it? But for some, receiving a gift is awkward because they get put on the spot. They don’t want all the attention on them as they open it. While on the other side, those who enjoy gift giving feel satisfaction by seeing the reaction to their gift, and the love it was given with.

Either way, everyone should appreciate the holiday season, and spread love through their gifts and their giving.