Sheldon, from The Big Bang Theory, says that if someone buys you a present for Christmas, then “the essence of the custom” is that you have to purchase a gift that is of equal value and represents the same level of perceived friendship that the assistance that you gave me defined. If you are like Sheldon and have trouble deciding what…
Most people smile when they think of holiday traditions. They feel a sense of anticipation and nostalgia. We can almost taste the special food, smell the candles, and hear those familiar tunes in our heads. Rituals mark some of our most important life moments, from birthdays and marriages to religious holidays and seasonal celebrations such as Christmas and Hanukkah. The…
Western children now have more toys, possessions, and games than ever before. Australia is one of the countries with the highest per-child average spend on toys. In order to avoid buying more toys for their children, many parents now opt to give gift certificates instead. Gift cards are a great way to bridge the gap between giving a tangible gift that might be…
A natural human emotion, disappointment, is what happens after a perceived failure. This perceived failure may be the result of not receiving a toy, not being invited to a birthday party, or losing stuffed animals. For children’s mental and physical health, as well as their overall development, they must learn how to handle disappointment. This can be a difficult situation…
Some people say that appearances can deceive. They might be right in the case of giving gifts. In the U.S., consumers spend billions of dollars per year wrapping presents. This is done to make gifts look as nice as possible. The money spent includes paper, boxes, and ribbons. Some people are very skilled in gift-wrapping with their perfect folds and carefully tied bows.…
Imagine a scene of giddy children opening presents, parents observing the chaos in their once tidy homes, and relatives who are disgruntled muttering into a third glass of Sherry. These are all familiar scenes around Christmas when social obligations and the festive season bring people together. It is natural for this type of event to take place. The human species…
Christmas is a season of relaxation, celebration, and gift-giving. The process of choosing gifts can be stressful and cause anxiety. A wrong gift may do more harm than good. Based on years of research, here are some tips on how to avoid such pitfalls. Why do we give presents? According to research into the psychology behind gift-giving, there are two things you should…
Feeling pressured to buy Christmas presents? Read this (and think twice before buying candles)
November 11, 2023
The holiday season marks the peak of consumerism in the West. This Christmas, the frenzy of spending will not be dampened by the COVID-19 recession. A consumer sentiment study revealed that about 12% of respondents expect to spend more on Christmas this year than they did in the past, and around one-third of people expected to spend less this Christmas – the same…
Shopping for gifts during the holidays can be stressful. It could be the stress of an overcrowded mall, the difficulty of choosing the perfect gift, the frustration of delivery delays, or the financial hit. What is the point? Why not just focus on family, food, and friends during the holidays? Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to spend their money…