Gift-giving --my best friends' wedding shower

Gift-giving is an economic, symbolic, exchange and social expression. As we discussed and learned in class, gestation is when the giver is motivated by a certain event. Gestation can be seen in two different lights, there is either structural or emergent. Structural is when the culture has an effect on the gift-giving and that would be on a holiday such as Christmas. Emergent is seen as a personal exchange.  Over the last few weeks, I have really taken these different aspects of gift-giving into consideration when picking out the perfect Bridal Shower gift for my best friend, Fran.  I believe it is a combination of both structural and emergent. Our culture has made it a big ordeal to throw a shower for the bride-to-be, which I completely agree with. I am having an issue with the traditional things that are expected to be bought for this bridal shower. I do find it fun to partake in buying appliances and things of the such. I want to spend my money on the fun decorative items that I know Fran will like and get great use of. I love giving unique gifts and I feel that the culture's gift-giving expectations on bridal shower prevents me from doing so! 

The structural gift-giving is all about the culture's views and I do not find that unique in the least bit. Therefore, I am going to follow the emergent gift-giving and give on a more personal level. Because I am so close with the Fran I feel that I can do so; although, if I were not close with the bride-to-be I would refrain from buying a gift in this manner. I intend on buying a special picture frame and putting Fran's favorite picture of her and her fiance, Aaron in it. Fran and Aaron are moving down south and are planning to live in an apartment that is not furnished. With this said, I also plan on buying a few decorative items that I know Fran and Aaron will love to put in their first home and their homes to come.  The final thing that I want to do for Fran is not a traditional gift at all and that is why I am very hesitant in purchasing it. I know she has been incredibly busy and stressed with finishing up college and planning her wedding so I want to buy her a massage. I know she would really enjoy it and I thought it would be fun if it would be a two person massage so that we could enjoy that quality time before we graduate and move away for each other. I have yet to decide on if I will actually buy it or not but there is a good possibility that I will. 

On a different note, I have enjoyed taking the time out of my days to reflect on what is going on in our country today. I have benefited from taking this consumer behavior class because I am more aware of what is going on financially in our nation today. I have also found this very enlightening in that it provided me with the resources of how to find and how to reflect my thoughts on what is occurring in America today.

Consumer Spending Fell in April

New York Times-nytimes.com

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

According to the article, "The government said Monday that consumers cut spending 0.1 percent in April, half the 0.2 percent reduction that economists were expecting" (nytimes.com). It is apparent that consumers today are realizing more and more that it is a must that they reduce their spending in order to provide for themselves and their family in the future. In addition to the nation's spending decreasing, our nation's income has been in creasing. In fact Americans' income is the best it has been in over a year. Not only is America's income growing, but America's savings is as well. "The savings rate, which rose to 5.7 percent, was the highest since February 1995, and the level of savings — $620 billion — was the most on records dating back to January 1959" (nytimes.com). This recession has opened the eyes of our nation. Although this recession is seen as a bad thing, I believe it is almost a blessing in disguise. Consumers are aware they are spending way too much and are cutting back which is increasing their savings accounts. They are being more conservative with their money and buying what their families need rather than footing the bill for their wants. It might seem as if I am saying this because I am just a college student and it has not really affected me; however, that is not the case in the least bit! In fact, my hard working father was laid off from work about a month ago. This of course, has taken a toll on my family and our financial needs. Despite the fact that my father is currently unemployed, my family is doing okay. We as a family are strong believers and have faith in our Lord God. We believe He gives us trials and tribulations so that we can learn from them and we know He closes one door to open another. With this said, I believe our Lord is teaching America a lesson and it is up to us to listen and learn from this lesson so that we do not end up in this pecuniary situation in the future.