Why is gift giving so important?

Question

There have been a lot of questions asked about gift giving when it comes to weddings, showers, birthdays, etc. My question is why is it customary to give gifts? Why is it frowned upon when someone doesn't give a gift?
I don't see the point, and sometimes I just don't have the money to do so, but that won't stop me from attending the event to show my love and support. Empty handed or not, I would just be happy that that person was there for me.
Thoughts?

Accepted Answer

It’s essentially a social exchange. You attend the event and are provided with food and entertainment for the day. It’s reciprocal to give a gift toward the couple providing that. It’s rude to always go, but never contribute. 
I don’t personally like most elaborate parties like weddings and showers. They’re an obligation to me, but I still love and support people, so I go to their events and give my part. 
That said, I do think over the top wedding gifting is becoming outdated. It’s no longer providing couples with a start in life so much as giving them luxuries for no real reason. I’ve said this on here before, but I’d like to see a shift toward less wedding funding, and more graduation gifting to actually help young people establish themselves.

Answer

To bless other people you love and care about, especially if it’s an event where they are providing food and drinks for you.

Answer

Some people's love languages are giving and/or receiving gifts. And for something like a wedding or a birthday, it's easier to give a gift over giving quality time or giving services, so it's just become the "love language" of those occasions.

Answer

I don't feel like gift giving is "payment" for being invited to a party or wedding. Like YOU are deciding to get married or have a baby or get engaged. Then you are deciding to have a party to celebrate. 
You don't have to have it somewhere fancy and pay for catering, you choose to. You don't have to even have an engagement party or a baby shower. You also don't have to invite so many people that you financially need people to help offset the cost by giving money or gifts.
If I'm close to someone and they are having a party for an engagement or something I would get them a little gift to show I care and love them. But I'm not obligated to give a gift or give money to "pay for my food and entertainment venue" no sorry that's on you as the host. 
Goddess bless, happy baby, happy wedding, happy engagement, but I don't owe a "payment" when you invited me to celebrate with you. It's nice to give and receive gifts but if I'm having the party I don't expect my invited guests to cough up money or gifts to validate their attendance 🤷

Answer

I won't go if I can not give anything or help in a way like cook food.

Answer

I don’t feel like gift giving is a necessity. I’m the type of person who is just happy to have my family and friends around me for love, and support. However, it is just a social affair, and people give out of their kindness of their hearts, and that’s how some people like to show their love. I love giving gifts, but don’t care to receive them. I specifically asked for no wedding shower when we got married because we had been living together for years prior to our marriage. I was just happy for the 200 people who showed up to celebrate our wedding with us. We still received gifts even though we weren’t registered anywhere, but they were all greatly appreciated. I also didn’t want a baby shower for our second child, but my friends insisted on throwing me a sprinkle, and my husbands family did a small one as well. For them to all show their love and excitement for our baby was so heart warming, I could of did without the gifts.

Answer

Giving gifts isn't important in our family. Family time is more important than gift giving. If you base your life off an app, then you'll miss reality. The reality is that it's different for everyone. Having expectations is where most go wrong. We don't have expectations of gift giving at weddings, birthdays or showers. It's a nice sentiment but it's NEVER been important for us.

Answer

Gift giving for weddings and showers is typically because people know how expensive buying things for homes and babies are (especially first time parents) so they’re helping out.

Answer

I just think my friends paid out like £50 a head for the meal and everything, so it’d definitely be rude for me to turn up empty handed.  I know it’s their wedding and they’ve chosen the venue and food etc, but I still think like you should give something.

Answer

I just really enjoy giving. I always have. For me, its about showing appreciation and care and just being a thoughtful person, not necessarily the traditional aspect of it. If I don't have a lot of money, I'll hand make something or I'll make a dish. And if I'm really that busted, I'll get them later and I'll put even more thought behind it. It's just how I roll.🤷‍♀️

Why is gift giving so important?

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