That's not true in most of continental Europe, nor in Quebec (Canada), since their legal system has a different origin than what you're describing.

Using Quebec's terminology by way of example, a contract where an advantage is given in exchange for rendering the obligation (so roughly a contract with consideration) is called an onerous contract, and most typical contracts for services fall into this category. The kind where one obligates oneself without receiving an advantage in return is called a gratuitous contract, and they classify gifts in this category.

IANAL, but as far as I know consideration is usually a feature of common law not civil law.

Correct. As per my direct reply to the person you're responding to, the kind of concept that's analogous to a contract with consideration is called an onerous contract and the kind that lacks it is a gratuitous contract. (Quebec terminology; it's a standard continental European style civil law system with its ultimate main origin in the Custom of Paris which governed most French colonies until 1763.)