About Gift Economy and weird gifts:
A gift economy or gift culture is a mode of exchange where valuables are not sold, but rather given without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards. Social norms and customs govern giving a gift in a gift culture, gifts are not given in an explicit exchange of goods or services for money, or some other commodity or service. This contrasts with a barter economy or a market economy, where goods and services are primarily explicitly exchanged for value received.
The nature of gift economies is the subject of a foundational debate in anthropology. Anthropological research into gift economies began with Bronisław Malinowski‘s description of the Kula ring in the Trobriand Islands during World War I. The Kula trade appeared to be gift-like since Trobrianders would travel great distances over dangerous seas to give what were considered valuable objects without any guarantee of a return. Malinowski’s debate with the French anthropologist Marcel Mauss quickly established the complexity of “gift exchange” and introduced a series of technical terms such as reciprocity, inalienable possessions, and presentation to distinguish between the different forms of exchange.
According to anthropologists Maurice Bloch and Jonathan Parry, it is the unsettled relationship between market and non-market exchange that attracts the most attention. Some authors argue that gift economies build community, while markets harm community relationships.
Gift exchange is distinguished from other forms of exchange by a number of principles, such as the form of property rights governing the articles exchanged; whether gifting forms a distinct “sphere of exchange” that can be characterized as an “economic system”; and the character of the social relationship that the gift exchange establishes. Gift ideology in highly commercialized societies differs from the “prestations” typical of non-market societies. Gift economies also differ from related phenomena, such as common property regimes and the exchange of non-commodified labour. (weird gifts)
Principles of gift exchange
According to anthropologist Jonathan Parry, discussion on the nature of gifts, and of a separate sphere of gift exchange that would constitute an economic system, has been plagued by the ethnocentric use of modern, western, market society-based conception of the gift applied as if it were a cross-cultural, pan-historical universal. However, he claims that anthropologists, through analysis of a variety of cultural and historical forms of exchange, have established that no universal practice exists.
His classic summation of the gift exchange debate highlighted that ideologies of the “pure gift” “are most likely to arise in highly differentiated societies with an advanced division of labour and a significant commercial sector” and need to be distinguished from non-market “prestations”. According to Weiner, to speak of a “gift economy” in a non-market society is to ignore the distinctive features of their exchange relationships, as the early classic debate between Bronislaw Malinowski and Marcel Mauss demonstrated. Gift exchange is frequently “embedded” in political, kin, or religious institutions, and therefore does not constitute an “economic” system per se.
Property and alienability
Gift-giving is a form of transfer of property rights over particular objects. The nature of those property rights varies from society to society, from culture to culture, and are not universal. The nature of gift-giving is thus altered by the type of property regime in place.
Property is not a thing, but a relationship amongst people about things. According to Chris Hann, property is a social relationship that governs the conduct of people with respect to the use and disposition of things. Anthropologists analyze these relationships in terms of a variety of actors’ (individual or corporate) “bundle of rights” over objects. An example is the current debates around intellectual property rights. Hann and Strangelove both give the example of a purchased book (an object that he owns), over which the author retains a “copyright”.
Although the book is a commodity, bought and sold, it has not been completely “alienated” from its creator who maintains a hold over it; the owner of the book is limited in what he can do with the book by the rights of the creator.
Weiner has argued that the ability to give while retaining a right to the gift/commodity is a critical feature of the gifting cultures described by Malinowski and Mauss, and explains, for example, why some gifts such as Kula valuables return to their original owners after an incredible journey around the Trobriand islands. The gifts given in Kula exchange still remain, in some respects, the property of the giver.
In the example used above, “copyright” is one of those bundled rights that regulate the use and disposition of a book. Gift-giving in many societies is complicated because “private property” owned by an individual may be quite limited in scope (see § The commons below). Productive resources, such as land, may be held by members of a corporate group (such as a lineage), but only some members of that group may have “use rights“.
When many people hold rights over the same objects gifting has very different implications than the gifting of private property; only some of the rights in that object may be transferred, leaving that object still tied to its corporate owners. Anthropologist Annette Weiner refers to these types of objects as “inalienable possessions” and to the process as “keeping while giving”.
Gifts are the best way to express one’s feelings,
But what kind of gifts can we give?
Christmas gifts: can only be given at Christmas or
Five senses gift: only given to partners,
But wait,
There’s also a weird genre called Strange Gifts: they’re meant to hit your real friend’s nerves in a humorous way.
So, let’s look at 20 funny gifts that can be called disgusting or unusual, but are also memorable and useful. (weird gifts)
1. Poop Emoji Mug
Until now, you and your friend have used poop emoji on Snapchat, Facebook and many other social media. (weird gifts)
But imagine if your friend unwrapped your gift and discovered it was a pile of poop, only this time he could have coffee inside. (weird gifts)
Is not it funny?
That’s why people are asking to award the ‘weird gift ‘ in a playful way because of the weird idea it brings to this trophy. Buy this poop mug here. (weird gifts)
2. Eff The Rain Umbrella
Imagine that the rainy season has begun and one of your friends is too afraid to go out in the rain or he is the one who uses the word Eff too often. This gift is the best for such a person. (weird gifts)
This 100% polyester exterior and waterproof umbrella has a large middle finger on the outside. This bold umbrella is actually a double win. (weird gifts)
Not only does it keep us dry, it also gives those gloomy clouds in the sky a well-timed middle finger. (weird gifts)
You will be a fickle in the rain, and very fashionable! (weird gifts)
3. Shark Slippers
We have known since our youth that, unlike dolphins, sharks are not human friendly. (weird gifts)
Many have been attacked by sharks while swimming or surfing. (weird gifts)
So isn’t it weird that slippers put their feet in their mouths like sharks? Scary!
These types of gifts are perfect for girlfriends who love unique funny gifts. (weird gifts)
Besides giving a charming look, it will keep cold feet warm by engulfing it with its super soft plush palate. Interested in buying? (weird gifts)
4. Buttock Toner Muscle Trainer
Buttock Toner is the weirdest of all the gifts mentioned here.
The moment he opens the door, he will definitely call you, angry or laughing like crazy – this is your destiny.
But one thing is for sure, though strangest of all, this gift is something he will remember for a long time.
If your partner has cellulite on their butt and thighs that makes them look plump, this is perfect. (weird gifts)
It helps to effectively stimulate the hip line by releasing pressure and lifts the hip muscles using EMS Pulses. (weird gifts)
5. Knitted Nordic Hat
What could make your friend look funnier and more insane than wearing this Scandinavian hat?
A strange woolen hat with bull-like horns, a long beard like a nomad, and his general appearance is just crazy.
The perfect gift for your friend who is too innocent to wear something like this.
In addition to giving a killer look, this wool hat is extremely warm and soft thanks to being made of 100% acrylic yarn. (weird gifts)
So, would you like this fun gift for your friend? Order this whimsical gift for men now.
6. Chicken Feet Socks
Chickens are beautiful, cute and innocent. But the same thing would look frightening if its legs had a human body.
Yes, that’s what chicken feet socks will do.
When your friend wore these socks, her legs would look like chickens. (weird gifts)
If your friend has a unique sense of humor or he just likes a chicken or just likes to tease others, this gift could be his favourite. Buy this extraordinary gift now
7. Animal Paw Socks
Animal toys, sounds and miniatures are loved by everyone because you minimize the brutality in your hands.
But what if the body is a human and the legs are zebra, tiger, cat etc. if. Funky, right?
These animal socks will make your friends’ legs look like donkeys or zebras – enough to scare anyone at first glance. (weird gifts)
If he gets bored with one, he’ll have nine more options to try. So get these soft and exciting yet weird socks for your friend here.
8. Dino Food Holder
If your niece or nephew loves watching National Geographic or Animal Planet and always has animal toys in their closet, this is the best gift you can give them.
This Dinosaur Food Holder is whimsical but equally adorable.
Make mealtime fun for the kid you love with this cute, stylish, yet whimsical gift. (weird gifts)
9. Groot Man Planter Pot
Many of us have watched the movie Avatar.
The first thing that comes to our mind when we remember is that terrifying line of blue face masks.
I have no idea what type of people they were trying to present, but it was still popular. This strange gift is one of them.
The dreaded Groot man pot is little more than a typical flower pot. (weird gifts)
Besides sewing things inside, it can be used as essential desktop to hold your phone or stationery. Buy now
10. Custom Tea Socks
How about a friend who drinks tea like crazy?
For whom six glasses a day is just a routine.
Do you want to show her in a crazy way that you remember every aspect of her personality?
If your answer is yes, these special tea socks are the answer. These weird socks have a funny inscription on the back that says “Make me a tea if you can read this.” What is more special is the way it is written.
The color, brightness and font style of the text are all great.
The wearer looks like he wrote it with a straw dipped in tea. (weird gifts)
11. Mini Cactus Candles
The cactus is known for its sharp spines that injure more than thorns.
Imagine it’s the birthday of someone who is crazy and weird despite being one of your favorite friends. What would you like to gift him?
This mini cactus wax might be the answer.
When the gift is placed next to the birthday cake, it will make everyone around him feel strange.
However, unlike real cactus, these beautiful candles are odorless candles and have an average burning time of 30-40 minutes. (weird gifts)
Metallic tea light holders filled with black wax give the illusion of real cactus plants planted in small pots. Buy this wacky birthday present now.
12. LED Spa Facial Mask
Face masks are a well-known thing among women. But what if the mask does everything it’s supposed to do but is too scary to wear.
LED Spa mask are once very spooky face masks.
This strange gift will remind your girlfriend of Halloween parties because of the scary look it gives.
However, besides being awkward and scary, this face mask is extremely beneficial.
It uses LED technology to tone your skin.
Each color displayed in the light performs its own specific function. (weird gifts)
13. Flask Bangle Bracelet
A glass is for pouring liquid into it; and bracelet for hand beauty.
But how strange it would be if someone combined both of these functions into one product.
Actually, this gift is a bracelet with a circular tube with a bottle and cap on top. (weird gifts)
Your friend’s favorite drink at the beach, club, bar, casino, cruise, parties, etc. It means he can take it anywhere he wants and has to sneak in his own drink. Try this wonderful bracelet-cum-bottle now.
14. Dino Kids Backpack
Children are normally afraid of a mouse or any rodent getting on their shoes.
But there are children brave enough to catch cats and dogs with their tails.
For such brave children, there is a backpack that can be called a symbol of courage, as if the boy wearing it had hunted a small dinosaur and put it on his back.
Plus, this lightweight backpack is perfect as a backpack for school, zoo trips, picnic parties, and more. (weird gifts)
15. Skull Tea Infuser
Everyone needs teapots, but why in this scary skull shape?
That’s what makes this gift unique and weird.
You must have a friend with some kind of rogue personality. A person who lights a cigarette with a pistol-like lighter, wears t-shirts with a skull image, or stands up awkwardly.
Something that would be a welcome addition to their weird collection.
Unlike real skulls and bones, which symbolize danger, this skull tea infuser is 100% safe for infusing a cup of steam from your favorite tea leaves!
Did you feel the urge to gift it to your friend? (weird gifts)
16. Angry Mama
Mothers are very enthusiastic about cleaning, especially things in the kitchen.
Microwaves are one of those things that require regular cleaning, but moms rarely find time to clean them.
So anything that can help him do his job easily tends to get an appreciation from him for sure.
Angry Mama is one of the gifts that can be given to mothers.
The funniest thing is as it seems. (weird gifts)
A small microwave-safe mug with a lid, resembling an angry mom cartoon. Get this unusual gift now.
17. Cable Protector
Phone cables tend to be damaged by frequent plugging and unplugging.
And what could be weirder than anything that weirdly shields this cable?
When this Animal Cable Protector is attached to the cable, it will appear as if the animal is eating the cable.
Such a gift can be the best for your friend who likes to do crazy things like using a skull keychain or using a lizard design phone case. (weird gifts)
18. Baby Romper Mop
This smart doormat is the unique, weirdest and most bizarre gift.
Instead of cleaning the floor in a new way, it tends to involve cute babies in it.
We all know that babies crawl when they are around 6 to 15 months old.
What if crawling babies are associated with cleaning the floor? It is interesting, is not it?
Yes, these mats are made of ultra absorbent materials and are designed to clean and shine your place while exploring the baby universe.
When the baby cleaning is finished, the mat is specially designed for easy on and off.
Baby Romper Mop is also a great baby shower gift! (weird gifts)
19. Baby Dinosaur Spoon
This ladle is no ordinary ladle. First, it can rest at the bottom of the bowl, plus it looks like a long-necked baby dinosaur peeking out of the soup. (weird gifts)
It is one of the things that children will want to have, such as toys and bicycles.
This spoon is made of food grade nylon, which is non-toxic and odorless, so it is completely safe for food! (weird gifts)
20. Acupuncture Slippers
Shoes are a common gift. But how about gifting someone slippers with a button on the sole?
These acupuncture slippers look more like an electronic kit than a slipper in appearance. (weird gifts)
The perfect gift for your loved ones who get tired earlier than usual.
It has nodules that apply pressure to the soles of the feet and improve blood circulation, prevent leg cramps and headaches, and promote whole-body health. (weird gifts)
Conclusion:
The above is a comprehensive list of whimsical gifts for people who have everything but still need your insane love.
The peculiar nature of these gifts does not mean that they are useless or that they simply tend to frighten the recipient; instead they are equally helpful and serve the purpose they claim.
You don’t have to wait for festivals like Christmas to give weird Christmas gifts; instead, the funny gifts mentioned above can change your mood at any time of the year.
So, have you chosen any of the above to gift your friend? Leave a comment to let us know which one you like the most.
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