As the bustle of this season’s holiday festivities settles in, the simple act of gift-giving can serve as a meaningful boost to mental health. Gift-giving, particularly around the holidays when feelings of gratitude and generosity are at an all-time high, is more than exchanging wrapped surprises, according to cnbc.com. In fact, it increases feel-good chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, according to clevelandclinic.org.
The origins of gift-giving date back to prehistoric times when gifts, even before the invention of currency, symbolized peace and friendship, created alliances, and both formed and strengthened bonds within and between communities. In Ancient Rome, the empire solidified the tradition of gift-giving, which thus left a lasting impact throughout the empire’s vast territories. Gift-giving was one of the core aspects of Saturnalia, the most popular, week-long festival in the middle of winter known for its merriment, feasts, and temporary inversion of social order, according to englishheritage.org. Today, gift-giving has generally evolved into an increasingly consumerism-focused practice, with people tending to focus on the physical gift itself instead of the intention and meaning behind it, according to nih.gov.
Yet, giving gifts through generosity is an essential part of human interaction that helps to nourish relationships with family and friends during the holiday season, according to The New York Times. Ms. Alison Gopnik, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, explained how the traits of generosity, gift-giving, and caring for others tie together, according to wsj.com.
“Giving someone a present can be considered a little symbolic act of care,” Ms. Gopnik said, according to wsj.com. “Gift-giving has the same structure as caregiving. It’s intrinsically altruistic: I sacrifice a bit of what I have to help you get something you want, without demanding a return. […] You don’t give presents to just anybody. A gift is a way of saying that there is a relationship between us, that there is at least a smidgen of love and attachment.”
Spending money on others promotes happiness and leaves people more fulfilled, particularly because actions of compassion and selflessness stimulate reward activation in the brain. The brain, in turn, releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin chemicals, according to apa.org. However, generosity does not require spending money on gifts at all, as the intention behind an act is what contributes to happiness and overall well-being. In fact, there are many ways to be generous this holiday season that do not require money at all, from volunteering at local community service projects to donating blood to the American Red Cross, according to CNN. Mr. Michael Maida, Director of Service Learning and Upper School Service Coordinator at Sacred Heart Greenwich, shared how generosity is especially prevalent around the holidays and has a unique impact on both the giver and recipient.
“The holiday season naturally encourages generosity because it’s a time when many people reflect on gratitude, family, and the importance of helping others,” Mr. Maida said. “For students, this reflection often becomes a spark that deepens their desire to give back—especially when they become more aware of the disparities in how different families experience the holidays. Holiday service drives tend to feel more personal and emotionally meaningful. Students know that their contribution will directly shape someone else’s holiday experience. Students feel proud knowing they can brighten someone’s season, and recipients feel the warmth of a community that genuinely cares. It becomes a shared moment of humanity that leaves a lasting impact on both sides.”
Featured Image by Blaire Williamson ’27
