Gifts or Presents?

[dukealien]

Seems as though I read something on this, the usage of gifts and presents.

Where I grew up we called what was given on Christmas a "present." For all other occasions we used the word "gift." I have no idea why.

dale

A quick Google indicates "gift" is Germanic-Anglo-Saxon, while "present" is from Latin via French.  (According to one source, "gift" in English had two syllables for a while and fell back to one from metric convenience or necessity in "Hudibras," 1656, specifically the phrase "look a gift horse in the  mouth.")  If there's any difference at all in meaning, "gift" seems to align with "give" and emphasize change of ownership, while "present"  aligns with the verb to present, emphasizing a formal or ceremonious [act of] offering (which the recipient could conceivably reject?)  Maybe there's a slight aura of humility to "present" that's lacking in "gift" - a gift is between equals while a present is from low to high?

As to your "why" question, perhaps the formal and ceremonial nature of the Christmas situation compared with, say, a birthday or anniversary? (Where I grew up, we used "present" for anything wrapped - Christmas present, birthday present, wedding present. "Gift" for any of those would have seemed a bit snooty, or found in advertising to add a bit of class.)