total prestation

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is a gift that symbolically embodies a whole range of relationships. Today, the Christmas gift is the closest we have as it evokes a wide range of institutions from family, to Christianity, capitalism, consumerism, holidays, childhood, and of course personal relationships.

Although gift exchange occurs in every society, it has diminished in importance in European history. Mauss is particularly interested in a form of exchange, which he locates to traditioanl and ancient societies , and which he refers to as prestations totales ('total prestations'). Such gifts are the symbolic embodiments of a whole range of relationships, and may be said to express the very essence of society. In modern society, which is dominated by other forms of exchange (notably the decontextualised exchange of the market), Christmas presents are perhaps the closest approximation to prestations totales... they evoke a wide range of institutions family, Christianity, capitalism, consumerism, holidays, childhood as well as personal relationships.

is a gift that carries the power to create a system of reciprocity in which the honor of both giver and recipient are engaged.

is a gift that carries with it not only the obligation to repay, but also the obligation to give and to receive. A refusal to give or receive gifts is to a refusal of friendship and intercourse.

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