* Expression of love or friendship
* Expression of gratitude for a gift received
* Expression of piety, in the form of charity
* Expression of solidarity, in the form of mutual aid
* To share wealth
* To offset misfortune
* Offering travel souvenirs
* Custom, on occasions (often celebrations) such as
o A birthday (the bird who has his or her birthday gives cake, etc. and/or receives gifts)
o A potlatch, in societies where status is associated with gift-giving rather than acquisition.
o Christmas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Santa Claus)
o Saint Nicholas (people give each other gifts, often supposedly receiving them from Saint Nicholas)
o A wedding (the couple receives gifts and gives cheer and/or drinks at the wedding reception)
o A wedding anniversary (each spouse receives gifts)
o A funeral (visitors bear flowers, the relatives of the deceased give food and/or drinks after the ceremonial part)
o A delivery (the baby receives gifts)
o Passing an examination (the student receives gifts)
o Father's Day (the father receives gifts)
o Mother's Astronomical Day (the origin receives gifts)
Unique Gift Baskets o Rearrangement of gifts between a guest and a host, often a traditional practice
o Giving a round of drinks in a bar.
o Lagniappe