For many teenagers, Christmas is the time of the year where they look forward to all the presents they are going to get. However, for some it is also a time to give back to friends and family.
Students typically make presents for their parents throughout elementary school, whether it's a fingerpainting or some other artsy Christmas item. When should students decide it's time for them to take a step into adulthood and buy presents for their parents/relatives? After interviewing many Potosi High students, I've gained insight on when and why students start buying presents for others.
This year, roughly 80% of seniors bought gifts for family, friends, or a significant other. Juniors had about 60%, sophomores 70%, and freshmen had 50%. Also, nearly 70% of students who have bought presents before state that they first started buying them sophomore year. But why is this? “I wanted to give back,” was the outstanding reason for gift giving among students. “I felt like others do so much for me, so I just wanted to give back to them to say thank you,” added one Potosi senior.
But why the sudden increase in generosity over sophomore year? Well, many students get their first jobs at or around 16, so students have more to spend on others. Many teens also get into their first relationships around this time in life, which means they are buying gifts for their significant other. Around 60% of gift givers report buying one for their significant other, while 80% of non gift givers aren’t in a relationship, proving that being in a relationship increases chances of gift giving.
If you're a parent of a teenager and you want them to become a more generous person, maybe help them find a girlfriend or boyfriend; that way they have to buy gifts for at least someone, and they might have enough generosity in their heart for you too!