Studying generosity provides a lot of interesting information about people’s behaviour and their state of mind. This paper explains that during the act of giving, the brain has a set of emotional and response patterns that have long term benefits to all the concerned parties.

Perhaps, the most fascinating finding is that generosity shapes our emotional environment. Daily practice of giving makes individuals or users have higher values of life satisfaction and also they have more positive attitude towards life. This kind of generosity functions as a natural antidote to stress, and brings with it a positive feeling that can be carried over into other areas of life.

The social aspect of the giving is also equally impressive. Even though gift giving may be reduced to its literal meaning on the face of it, it simply reflects a highly evolved process of social interaction. Such subtle communication practises turn into the foundation of developing relationships, which establish a solid base for the trust between the parties. In giving we express ourselves in a manner that words cannot express in the relationships we hold dear.

From the point of view of the personal growth, giving is also beneficial. This practise naturally brings a person’s attention outside of him or herself and fosters an increased understanding of the suffering of others. While thinking of whatever can make the other person happy, we seem to grow our emotional quotient in addition to having a deeper perception of interpersonal relationships.

The emotional benefits of giving are quite interesting. There is a special kind of happiness to shopping for something special, wanting to give it to someone and then seeing the happiness that it brings. These positive emotions offer a ‘boost’ of well-being well beyond the mere act of giving , that is, making the gift.

That is why these benefits are especially powerful: when giving is done with sincere intent. When the motivation regarding giving is shifted from social expectations and goes to mere self-interest in making others happy, then the psychological gains are numerous. This realistic method of sharing turns simple gifts into fascinating and valuable events for both the donor and the recipient.

Gift giving is not about the cost of the item given or received, but about the effect it has on people and the good internal states that are produced.

Based on work by Adam Eason.