I think that somewhere someone down the line used the term "submission as a gift" as a way to romanticize D/s.

I never really liked the term, because it made me think of sitting around with my neatly packaged submission, waiting to give it to a Dominant who showed some interest.
I don't think it is given away, it is shared with someone who also gives thier Dominance as well.
There isn't really any talk of Dominants giving away thier gift of dominance and for me it's soley the exchange of power within the relationship.
I submit to someone else who enjoys and appreciates what I have to offer, in turn they offer me thier Dominance.

I don't give and offer up my submission to be used as some precious, altruistic thing. I want to be submissive, I want to serve and be owned; another who finds that side of me attractive does not take it, but shares and nurtures that part of me.
I own my submission and it's a gift I give to myself really.