APS Member/Author: Daniel T. Willingham … Despite the stock saying, “It’s the thought that counts,” gift givers think that spending a lot — on diamonds, for example — shows that they care. When researchers asked people to recall a gift they gave and then to rate how much they thought recipients liked More
The act of giving can help those in need even as it improves the giver’s own well-being. More
Like many new parents, when our first child was born, we were delighted to receive gift boxes of tiny pajama sets, monogrammed baby blankets, and lots and lots of children’s books. We received seven copies of “Goodnight Moon” alone. By the time our second and third children arrived, we were More
A few years ago, Sara Aiken planned the perfect romantic Christmas celebration with her husband, Ken. She made eggs Benedict, bacon and Bloody Mary cocktails for brunch. Then the couple lounged around in their pajamas and exchanged gifts. Ms. Aiken gave her husband a foul-weather jacket for sailing, some history More
If you clicked on the headline to this story, one thing is obvious: You really saved your Christmas shopping until the last minute. That said, here are a few well-researched tips that might come in handy as you start swiping that credit card: — Don’t Feel Too Bad If You More
The holidays are a time for giving and receiving presents, gifts and cheer. Two new studies conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University show that giving to others makes us happier than giving to ourselves. “If you want to sustain happiness over time, past research tells More
