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.