Important but simple rules for gift-giving

Gifting is an art form. So there are likely some rules for Gift-giving to exist. The ideal gift can brighten someone's day or strengthen a relationship. It can be used to right a wrong or simply to show a loved one that you care.

Giving presents has long piqued the interest of psychologists because it provides insight into so many other important human traits, including how we perceive others, how we assign value to things, our decision-making abilities, and our ability to empathize.

"Humans are an extremely social species, and one of the characteristics that distinguish us is our ability to form and maintain relationships with others. Gift-giving occasions such as holidays, birthdays, graduations, and weddings are excellent opportunities to strengthen those bonds "Daniel Farrelly, a psychologist at the University of Worcester, concurred. Gift-giving, whatever the occasion, is a social ritual that requires careful thought and consideration. So, are there any rules or tips to follow? We consulted with some experts to help us create simple gifting guidelines. They are as follows:

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Tip No.1) Small gift and a Big gift should not be together

Tempted to dress up an expensive shirt with a tie? Flowers to accompany a bottle of grand cru champagne? Don't. When we receive gifts in a bundle, we unconsciously average out their value, so a small gift tacked onto a large one reduces the latter's impact.

?This is known as the "Presenter's Paradox," which was first discovered in a 2012 study of the same name, in which participants were given either an iPod alone or an iPod with a free download of one song. When asked how much they would pay for it, those who were given the iPod with the free download valued it 20% less than those who were not. In contrast, when asked which option they would gift, participants overwhelmingly chose the one that included the download, demonstrating that when it comes to gift-giving, we fail to recognize that (sometimes) less is more.

"Consider giving someone an expensive bottle of wine with some plastic cups to drink it from; the gift is immediately devalued. This is because humans do not always think economically and rationally about these issues "Farrelly stated.

Tip No.2) Experiences are better rather than things as a gift

A brand-new iPhone quickly becomes obsolete. Dream vacation or seeing your favorite artist in concert, on the other hand, will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime. "Experiences are often more thought-out, resulting in more vivid memories. We may recall a tablet purchased by a friend or loved one, but not as vividly as a two-week vacation to Florida – the memories and emotional attachment are stronger than those to a physical object "Farrelly elaborated.

In a nutshell, this is why you should prioritize an experience over a physical object. It's an idea supported by psychologist Thomas Gilovich, whose research shows that spending money on doing produces more long-term happiness than spending money on having.

Experiential learning also fosters anticipation, making the days or weeks leading up to the event more enjoyable.

Tip No.3) Gift cards can be considered

Cash, as a gift-giving way, is one thing that has the same value for everyone. While cash gifts are popular in some cultures on certain occasions, they are not for everyone and can be perceived as lazy or even offensive.

"What will be the next best thing?"

Gift cards have grown in popularity over time. They are also very popular among recipients.

Gift cards aren't perfect; there's still some perceived value loss, and billions of dollars in them go unredeemed each year, but they're a better option than a rushed or poorly chosen gift.

Tip No.4) Think like the receiver of your present

Simply put, buy items that your recipient would buy for themselves. That may seem obvious, but it occurs far less frequently than we would like. Gifts are often used as a joke, an encouragement to change one's ways, or to signal something about oneself rather than to provide utility to the receiver. The simplest way to get it right is to simply ask, "What would you like?"

Tip No.5) Spend more on others than on yourself

?The final rule is self-evident: remember the gift of giving. Spending money on others makes people happy. The good feelings you get from giving someone a present they want may last longer than spending money on yourself.

While it is important to take care of oneself, remember that there are advantages to being more generous to those around you.

By following these simple rules for gift-giving hope you create an enjoyable moment for the receiver as well as yourself. If you are considering giving a gift to someone, you can visit our website at: www.gyftpals.com