Throughout the course of a relationship, gifts can play an essential part in signifying certain milestones and intentions on the part of the giver. For example, many first dates include a man offering little presents such as flowers or chocolates.
“Approach rituals†like these indicate that a man is ready and willing to invest in a relationship and also that he comes from good breeding. In early American courtship, these were signals to the woman that the man was financially secure.
Later along in the relationship, “confirmation gifts†such as jewelry, intend to bring certainty and a desire to keep the relationship strong.
“Togetherness rituals†are presents given on anniversary days, often after marriage, and serve to reinforce the desire to have a common future together. They provide assurance that doubts have been removed from the relationship.
Source: Berking, Helmuth and Camiller, Patrick, trans. Sociology of Giving. London: Sage Publications. 1999. 12-13