A gift or present is the transfer of something, without the committal for compensation that is involved in trade. A gift is a voluntary decree which does not require anything in return. Even though it involves possibly a social expectation Wine Gift Baskets of reciprocity, or a return in the form of prestige or power, a gift is meant to be free.

When material objects are given as gifts, in legion cultures they are traditionally packaged in some manner. For example, in Western culture, gifts are often wrapped in wrapping essay and accompanied by a gift note which may note the occasion, the giftee's name, and the giver's name