One of my absolute favorite Southern traditions is giving sercies.

Don’t bother looking it up; “sercy” isn’t a word in any dictionary. Several people have tried to find the etymology but no one has found the definitive answer. The most likely connection is to a Scottish word “sussie” meaning “to care” or the French slang “pas de souci” meaning “not to worry”. Whatever the history, you’ll find the term and tradition alive and well in the Southeastern coastal states, especially in the Lowcountry.

So what is this mysterious “sercy”? It is a small, unexpected gift to show someone you were thinking of them. In our family, saying “I got you a sercy!” gets an immediate smile.

There are a few unwritten rules.

• When I saw the item, it made me think of you. This is where the phrase “it’s the thought that counts” truly comes in. I got you this gift because I saw it and thought of you. A favorite dessert, funny socks that will make you giggle, or a sticker for your laptop. The “thought” is the most important aspect of giving a sercy. My best friend recently got me a pair of socks because they made her think of me. And she was right – they are definitely me.

• It is unexpected – not a birthday or Christmas gift. It is a surprise, completely random.

• It is small, inconsequential even. Maybe that is where the connection to “not to worry” comes from. As the giver, I didn’t spend a lot of money or go out of my way to find it. In fact, it can be free…a beautiful rock from my trip to the beach or a picture of a flower I knew you’d love. On a recent trip to California, I FaceTimed my best friend when I walked on the bluffs at Half Moon Bay. I wanted to give her the “gift of California” so I made sure she could see the waves and hear the Pacific Ocean.

• There is no expectation of reciprocation.

Sidenote: I love the show New Girl. I love the relationships and the humor. And my favorite relationship is Nick and Schmidt. I love how much they support each other, hold each other accountable, and truly appreciate each other. In Season 2, Episode 5, Schmidt gives Nick a cookie because “he saw it and thought Nick would like it”. Nick truly doesn’t understand why Schmidt would be thinking of him. This is where Nick gets off-track from the idea of a sercy… Nick is so stressed out that Schmidt gave him a cookie that Nick had to go out and find one to give to Schmidt.  He felt that he had to reciprocate. This infamous “gave me cookie” bit that still makes me laugh.

You can watch this episode and the rest of New Girl on on Hulu, Peacock, and other streaming services.

Next time you’re out and see something that reminds you of a friend or family member, consider getting it for them. You will absolutely make their day!

In reality, it’s not unique to the South – many regions have similar traditions. And humans in general are generous and often think of people they love. We just have a fun word for it!