Psychology Behind Gift Giving: Why Does It Feel Nice?

Our personalised cushions make great gifts. That warm, fuzzy feeling you get when your partner peels away the wrapping paper and sees their lovely new present for the first time. 

But what is that fuzzy feeling exactly? For that, we need to dive into the history of gift-giving. 

Early Remnants of Gift-Giving 

Gift-giving is a cultural practice that has existed since the beginning of civilization. Our closest ancestral relatives may have been involved in gift-giving before civilization even existed.

According to researchers, cavemen used gifts such as rocks of unusual shapes or animal teeth to establish social connections and show their appreciation for others. As social structures developed, the gifts became more elaborate and decorative.

These include Hanno the White Elephant, given to Pope Leo the X by King Manuel of Portugal, Hanging Gardens of Babylon built by King Nebuchadnezzar II as a gift for his wife, and the Statue of Liberty - given to America by France. 

Why Do We Do it?  

Giving gifts plays such an important role in our social fabric that we do it for a variety of reasons, often conflicting ones. At times our culture requires it, for instance during Christmas or birthday celebrations, other times it builds and reinforces relationships with family members and potential mates.

We understand the variety of reasons behind why we give gifts to others, but it doesn't explain why we enjoy doing it? For that, need to understand how the chemicals in our brain work. 

Science Behind Giving

What exactly is that warm fuzzy feeling we get when someone opens our present? In short - it's chemicals in our brain. 

From gift-giving to helping the homeless, anything considered a "good deed" triggers a specific chemical in the brain, commonly known as dopamine. 

To summarise, giving a gift to a loved one, increases the production of dopamine, a feel-good neutralizer. Insufficient levels of dopamine result in a lack of motivation and signs of depression, while too high levels of dopamine can cause bipolar disorders like schizophrenia.

Our Products! 

Next time you do a good deed or give a gift to a friend - you'll know exactly why it makes you so happy!

Our products are sure to put a smile on whoever receives them. Watch their face light up as they see their favorite memories printed onto one of our premium fabrics! Have a look at our best seller right here!