"Sometimes we call them gifts, sometimes presents. Is there a difference?
The words come to us from different language families. Gift comes from the old Germanic root for “to give.” It referred to an act of giving, and then, to the thing being given. In Old English it meant the dowry given to a bride’s parents. Present comes from the French for "to present." A present is the thing presented or bestowed.
But whether it’s gifts or presents you prefer, I wish you many and lots this year, of both the tangible and intangible kind."
-- Arika Okrent
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