The Secret to Gift Giving
With the holidays upon us, many of us are hunting for that special something for the special someones in our lives. It's how we show we care about them. So why is it so hard to find the right gift? This week, we talk with researcher Jeff Galak about why the presents we give for holidays and birthdays often miss their mark, and how to become a better gift giver.
- Duration
- 56m
- Broadcast on
- 05 Dec 2022
- Audio Format
- other
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With the holidays upon us, many of us are hunting for that special something for the special someones in our lives. It's how we show we care about them. So why is it so hard to find the right gift? This week, we talk with researcher Jeff Galak about why the presents we give for holidays and birthdays often miss their mark, and how to become a better gift giver.
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This is Hidden Brain, I'm Shankar Vedanta. In the gift of the Magi, a short story written by Ohendri and published in 1905, a young husband and wife each struggle privately with a dilemma. Christmas is coming, and neither has enough money to buy the other a gift. Della has only one dollar and eighty-seven cents saved up. Jim has almost nothing. You probably know how the story turns out. Della sells her beautiful long hair in order to buy Jim a fine chain for his watch, the most valuable thing he owns. Meanwhile, Jim sells his watch to pay for a set of expensive combs for Della's hair. Each gift negates the other. At the end of the story, Ohendri writes, the Magi, as you know, were wise men, wonderfully wise men, who brought gifts to the babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat, who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days, let it be said that of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the wisest. Everywhere they are wisest, they are the Magi. In other words, it's the thought that counts. That's a sweet idea, but is it true? Today on the show, modern psychology takes on an ancient problem. Gifts and gift-giving are as old as humanity itself. Over the centuries, humans have used gifts to express love, offer admiration, and obtain favors. New research identifies why the presents we offer for birthdays and holidays often miss their mark. How to become a better gift-giver? This week on Hidden Brain. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Air France. Air France business cabin offers comfort throughout the journey with priority check-in, boarding, and lounge access. On board, enjoy menus from renowned French chefs, wines, and champagne selected by a Sommelier and free high-speed Wi-Fi. When it's time to rest, settle into a fully adjustable, life-flat bed with added mattress comfort. The art of travel, elevated, because Air France business cabin goes further in every detail to make your journey exceptional. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Pacific Life Insurance. You make promises throughout your life. For nearly 160 years, Pacific Life has been helping you keep them by protecting those who matter most. Pacific Life, the power of a promise. Ask a financial professional how Pacific Life can help you create a more confident financial future. Pacific Life Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska, and in New York, Pacific Life and Inuity, Phoenix, Arizona. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Defender. Even the boldest journey starts small, with a single decision to go somewhere new. The Defender 110 is a vehicle built for those moments, for drivers capable of great things, whether they're headed toward uncharted territory or just a weekend away. The Defender 110 combines on-road presence with off-road capability. It looks tough, because it is, with an exterior engineered for durability. Inside, capability meets comfort, with seating for five and the option for seven, plus refined finishes and thoughtful design. It's also packed with intuitive tech, like 3D surround cameras with clear-side ground view to help you navigate rough terrain, and the next-generation PIVI Pro infotainment system designed to keep you informed, connected, and in control, no matter the path. The Defender 110 is naturally capable, expedition ready, and built for those ready to move forward. Explore the Defender 110 at Land RoverUSA.com. All of us know what it's like to get a great gift, the kind we receive with pleasure, and that we remember for a long, long time afterwards. All of us also remember, well, the other kind of gift, the board game that doesn't interest us, the dashed-off last-minute bobble, the inappropriate item of clothing. At Carnegie Mellon University, Jeff Gallagher has spent a lot of time thinking about gifts and gift-giving.
Transcription truncated.
With the holidays upon us, many of us are hunting for that special something for the special someones in our lives. It's how we show we care about them. So why is it so hard to find the right gift? This week, we talk with researcher Jeff Galak about why the presents we give for holidays and birthdays often miss their mark, and how to become a better gift giver.