Accepting the gift

 Does the acceptance of a gift create a social contract ? Sounds like a Sheldon ( Big Bang Theory ) sort of question doesn't it  ?  Well my sister in law feels as though it does and I agree with her. I do feel an obligation to reciprocate. To just take a gift without that action feels like taking charity. I understand that the giver may not feel the same way, but the contract is not with the other person, the contract is with our own morality. Our morals are those standards of behavior acceptable to ourselves or our beliefs. Technically that isn't a social contract but what else would you call it ? I believe the majority of us would say we do not expect anything in return. Saying otherwise is just wrong ! I also believe that most of us do expect something in return. It may be nothing more than a heartfelt thank you but we expect something. It is that belief that writes that contract. Does the urgency in which we honor that contract reflect upon our gratitude in having received that gift ? How long should we wait before reciprocating in kind ? How long before the connection is lost between the two actions ? How long does it take for you to forget that you received that gift ? Those are the variables in this contract.
 Personally I find it uncomfortable when the giver insists upon giving. Know what I mean ? They offer a gift or some gesture and you politely decline, yet they persist. There intentions may be completely without any expectations but you are unwilling to enter into the contract. Your reasons for doing so may also be completely honorable. They insist and a contract is created. I will usually not honor that contract right away but rather it will reside on my conscience. Eventually I must honor the contract and I feel like I was somehow leveraged into that. Gratitude by coercion. It even feels that way when the gift was needed and proved to be a great benefit. This is even true when the monetary value of the gift is small.  To complicate matters I feel an obligation to accept what is offered with an outward display of gratitude. Accepting the contract with grace.
 Now we have entered the gift giving season. We received a great gift, the greatest of all I would add, and feel the obligation to reciprocate. What gift can we offer ? We buy all matter of material objects to exchange with one another. We exchange greetings cards expressing our sentiments. We erect a tree with the express purpose of a place to place those gifts. Gifts are expected ! We are told not to expect anything yet teach our children to " make a list " of items we would like to receive. This list is then given to a figure that we can not give a gift in return to. We feel no obligation to reciprocate. And in that lies the spirit of Christmas. A gift freely given. A gift of immeasurable value.
 When we are small children, before we understand the value of money, we are content with just playing with the box. Then we begin to comprehend the monetary value of items and hence the necessity for Santa Claus. He's magic and doesn't need money at all, but our parents do. We are told the " value " of those gifts and told to " take care of them. " We are being taught to value the gift. We are also taught to reciprocate in kind. We feel the obligation , the moral necessity to exchange a material manifestation of our gratitude. It may be the thought that counts, but all too often the thought is counted in dollars and cents. Except at Christmas. If you do not exchange a gift with another person on that day you do not feel obligated to do so at a later date. Am I right ? Christmas gifts are to be exchanged at Christmas. In the spirit of giving no contract is entered into. That is my feeling anyway. The gift we were given was a simple one. We were told to love one another. We were given the gift of Peace if we but accept that peace. We must receive that gift, appreciate it and share it. The obligation is there and we must honor that obligation. We are promised a return by the one who gave. Isn't that amazing ?