For those of you who will be joining me in some spirited last-minute Christmas shopping, here are a few things to keep in mind as you hunt for the perfect gift among whatever is left over on the store shelves. Michael Norton, a professor at Harvard Business School, has conducted studies which have concluded that has spending money on others gives us greater happiness than spending on ourselves. How? Gift giving cultivates a stronger relationship between you and the recipient, showing you care and understand them. So, with that in mind, here is how to deliver those ‘feel-good’ gifts:
1. Choose gifting experiences over stuff: Gifts such as concert tickets, an exercise class, or hosting a loved one for dinner make the recipient feel closer to the giver, not just when they’re unwrapping their present, but when they’re enjoying it later.
2. Think long-term satisfaction: Don’t shy away from buying a practical gift. That coffee machine or those headphones you received and use every day are going to keep reminding you of the person who gave it to you. (Kinda puts the kibosh on #1, doesn’t it?)
3. Don’t make it a burden: Make your gift convenient and easy to use. No one wants a present that creates extra work for them. (A treadmill, for example…)
4. Follow instructions: If the person you’re shopping for handed you a wish list, don’t go don’t go rogue. The closer you are to the recipient, the more likely you are to think you should find something else to show the person just how thoughtful you are. Bad idea.
5. Don’t Feel Pressure to Splurge: A study showed that across the board, givers thought expensive gifts would be appreciated more, but receivers didn’t care about price. Spend what’s reasonable for your budget. (I spent what’s reasonable for MY budget just getting to the mall!)
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