Gift-Giving Tips from Scientists

Gift-giving really agitates me; I tend to feel like I'm not making the right choices, and that there is a valuable secret I've never managed to learn.

So I was happy to see the NYTimes piece yesterday specifically about gift-giving, and I was enchanted by the data-driven (and sometimes contrarian) advice:

*Do ask the recipient specifically what he or she wants. Then get that thing. (We have an idea that we need to invent the perfect gift after many hours of thought and sleuthing, but the Times says: Ditch this idea.)

*Sifting through gift cards? The Times says: Pick a gift card linked with a somewhat pedestrian place where the recipient actually tends to shop. We have this idea that the gift card should be linked with some impossibly luxurious business, e.g. Tiffany. But if the recipient in question never actually shops at Tiffany--and *does actually* shop at Target, basically everyday--then opt for the Target gift card.

*It truly is the thought that counts. A diamond necklace for someone who doesn't wear diamonds? Expensive, yes, but....MEH! A gift with real utility, something the recipient wants, something that costs very little? Priceless.

Here's the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/opinion/good-gifts-psychological-research.html

Merry Christmas!

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