[abdullahkhalids]

In a regular economy, every exchange is a two-way transaction. I give you something, you give me something (usually of perceived equal value).

In a gift economy. I gift you something. You gift someone something. That someone could be me, but if I don't need/want anything you need, then you just gift to someone else. If there are gifts going around all the time, all in good faith, then most people will receive what they need.

You see gift economies in families or friends all the time. People help others according to their abilities. My rich friend takes me out to an expensive dinner, poor me gets us lunch from that famous food truck. I nurse my uncle when he breaks his leg. He lets my brother's son to live with him for free during college. There is no accounting of how much anyone gave. Just give what you can.

I recommend reading Cory Doctorow's novel Walkaway which describes gift economies beautifully.