When it comes to gifts, some cultures keep on giving

Tribes of Papua New Guinea's Trobriand Islands had an elaborate gift exchange system called the kula. They would set off round the islands in large, ocean-going canoes and trade red shell necklaces (veigun) in a clockwise direction, and white shell bracelets (mwali) in an anti-clockwise direction. The round trip is several hundred miles.

In Canada, the chiefs of certain First Nations tribes would traditionally distribute blankets, animal skins, and ornaments in the ceremony of potlatch, a word that means "giving". A potlatch would be held for different reasons, varying from group to group, including puberty rites and death commemorations. It involved a great feast at which the host lavishly distributed valuable property to all the assembled guests. The Kwakwaka'wakw tribe of Vancouver Island apparently took this ceremony to extremes, with leaders sometimes choosing to burn all these goods in a show of power.

In certain Fijian villages, a vasu – someone whose mother hails from that village – is given the right to claim gifts, land, and pretty much anything else they covet. This blood tie also gives them the right to behave in such a way that would not be tolerated in someone else.

In Japan, gift-giving is a two-stage ritual when it comes to celebrating Valentine's Day. In recent decades (apparently due to some serious marketing by Japanese confectionary companies) 14 February has become a day when women and girls present men or boys with chocolates, while 14 March is "White Day", when the males return the favour. The chocolates given sincerely in this way are called honmei-choko, "favourite chocolates". However, women often give chocolates to all the men in their lives, including friends, co-workers and bosses. These are known as giri-choko, "obligation chocolates".

Presents are not just for the living, however. Many cultures throughout history have made offerings to ancestors or relatives who have died, a practice that is still visible in Mexico during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The annual celebrations, taking place from 31 October to 2 November, will often include families placing gifts around the graves of loved ones. These might include flowers and decorations, food and drink, and pillows and blankets, so that the dead can rest comfortably.

Adam Jacot de Boinod is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words From Around the World, published by Penguin Books, and Creator of the iPhone App Tingo, a Quiz on Interesting Words.