Why We Give and How to Give the Best Gifts

Guests: Lara Aknin, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Director of the Helping and Happiness Lab, Simon Fraser University; Cindy Chan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Toronto Scarborough It’s the season of giving, which can also make it the season of stress – all that time and money and that nagging suspicion that most of what you give will be eventually forgotten anyway.  But some gifts we do remember forever. We put a call out for gift-related stories and heard some really memorable ones we’ll share with you this hour. Plus, we’ve got expert insight on how to give presents that will be cherished and strengthen your relationships. But first, a look at why we do it in the first place. Is there some evolutionary reason for gift giving? Do we mainly do it because that’s what’s expected? (Originally aired December 14, 2018).