Gift Giving is Good for Everyone

As the holiday gift giving season approaches, it’s important to remember why we give gifts.  Surprisingly, gift giving is a complex and important part of human interaction, It helps to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family, friends, and community. Often the gift giver, rather than the recipient, reaps the biggest gain from this experience because the act of giving is about caring for others.

According to a New York Times article on the psychology of gift giving, while it’s reasonable to cut back on spending during the holidays, psychologists say that banning the gift exchange with loved ones is not the best solution. People who refuse to accept or exchange gifts during the holidays, these experts say, may be missing out on an important connection with others.

“That doesn’t do a service to the relationship,” said Ellen J. Langer, a Harvard psychology professor. “If I don’t let you give me a gift, then I’m not encouraging you to think about me and think about things I like. I am preventing you from experiencing the joy of engaging in all those activities. You do people a disservice by not giving them the gift of giving.”

The pleasure of gift giving is in knowing that you have taken care of someone else. The act of giving gifts is about giving without the expectation of receiving something in return and has long been recognized throughout our human history as a way to celebrate special times and special people. Western culture gift-giving includes colorful wrapping paper. Chinese culture suggests that gift recipients name be written in the color red for good luck. And so on.

Here in Rohnert Park the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati is gearing up for its annual holiday gift and toy drive. Each year hundreds of toys and gifts are collected and distributed to families in the Rohnert Park, Cotati and Penngrove area. In addition, food donated by the local food bank, Neighbors Organized Against Hunger (NOAH) is also provided to needy families.

Over the years, this holiday gift and toy drive has grown in popularity and in partnership with others. The Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati spearheads this effort working together with the Rancho Cotati Rotary Club, Rotary Interact Youth Members, the Rancho Adobe Fire District, the Cotati Police Officers and Management Association, Cotati City Employees, the Rohnert Park Chapter of Realtors and the community at large.

 “Santa” and his elves deliver the gifts to each family on December 17 that have been gift-wrapped by volunteer elves. “Santa” arrives at his destinations in Cotati Police Department cars and Rancho Adobe Fire District fire engines.  “Sometimes Santa makes an extra trip right before Christmas to deliver gifts that arrive after December 17,” said Robert Stewart, Community Service Director for the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati.

Bringing Christmas goodwill to deserving households, the program also focuses on families who reside in transitional housing. Gifts for children, clothing and essential items for the homes are all donated by Rotary Club members.

Community members can support the drive by donating gifts, gift cards for tween and teenagers and cash. Donations can be brought to the Cotati Police department or to any of the Rancho Adobe Fire departments. 

To request a toy or food drive visit for your family or someone in Rohnert Park, Cotati or Penngrove, please call the voicemail system for the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati at (707) 765-4898.