Hi, Many of us tend to use the two words interchangeably in most contexts. Of the two, present is the more informal. The two words are used with things given to other people without expectation of return or compensation. It is not uncommon to hear people say, I gave him a gift/present on his birthday. Both the sentences are grammatically acceptable. Careful users of the language make a distinction between the two words. A Gift tends to be much more valuable than a present. It usually passes from the rich to the poor, from the high to the low. A present, on the other hand, passes between equals or from the inferior to the superior. • The children brought a present for the Minister. • I gave him a pen as a present. • The foundation is planning to gift the land to the society. • He made a gift of two million dollars to his old university. The word gift is also used with the inborn talent or skill that one has. It is because God is believed to have given us these things. We are getting something from a superior being. Picasso had the gift of painting. M.S has the gift of singing, etc. We do not, in these cases, use the word present. Thanks

Many people use "gift" and "present" as interchangeable words, while others make some distinction between the two: a gift is given by a rich person to a poor person, while a present is given by a person to a person of equal rank. Also, "present" refers to an object, while "gift" can be something you send by email, for example. "Gift" can also refer to a special talent - if someone is gifted, they are very good at something.

One usually sends a gift and receives a present. However, there is very little difference between the two. I would like to send a -gift- to my best friend. (Gift/Present) My mother deserves the best present or gift (Gift/present) I like when I receive a present (Gift/Present) He wants to give a gift to the poor man (Gift/present) No one would look you you strangely if you used gift instead of present in any of these cases

A 'present' is sometimes more personal. For example, you give presents to your friends and family on special occasions. A 'gift', by contrast, can be completely impersonal. For example, a children's comic may include a plastic toy as a 'free gift'. You would never use the word 'present' here, because it isn't a genuine present. It's just a promotional thing. Businesses and retailers use the word 'gift', as in gift card, gift vouchers and so on.

i don't think there's any difference between the two. however, a gift can also refer to someone's talent, meanwhile a present doesn't have the same usage.