Gift-giving has been a staple of humanity for as long as we can remember. It has been a part of every culture, every generation, and every time period. From the primitive cavemen to the Egyptian pharaohs, gifts were common and used to show love and affection towards one another. Today is no different.
...gift-giving is so rewarding [because] it allows people to connect. The giver of a gift expresses their feelings and emotions by sending a gift with the hope of being able to share these with the receiver of the gift. The receiver of the gift, in turn, receives the feelings and emotions and with this, a connection is made [1].
Giving a gift strengthens our social bonds, expresses our positive feelings to one another, and connects us with the people that matter most. At its core, gift-giving gives the human species a sense of purpose and a feeling of satisfaction.
The do’s of gifting
But although you know why behind gift-giving, many of us haven't been taught how to give a gift and what to get. Listed below are all the don'ts of giving gifts—backed by science—in the modern age.
1. Don't mind the price
Several research papers have shown that gift recipients don't associate the price of the gift with their level of appreciation [1, 2, 3]. Instead, only the giver of the gift thinks that spending more somehow conveys more thoughtfulness or appreciation.
Sometimes the gift that makes us feel the most appreciated is the gift that is homemade, or in other words, free. When picking your next gift, focus on the value (sentimental and otherwise) that the person you're giving to will feel.
2. Don't give money
A few studies have shown that people feel less satisfaction from receiving cash in comparison to actual gifts [1, 2]. Don't fall into this trap.
A well-thought-out gift is almost always more appreciated than cold, hard cash (see research above). If you find yourself short on time during the holidays, consider gifting an object from your house that you think will bring them joy.
The don’ts of gifting
With the don't out of the way, let's get into the dos of gift-giving. In a very real way, the dos of gift-giving are much more important than the don'ts of gift-giving. Almost all of us have been in the uncomfortable position of receiving a gift that, shall we say, wasn't particularly thoughtful. Avoid putting someone else in the same position with these tricks:
1. Focus on the person
Try to pick a gift that:
- Highlights a person's interests and/or passions
- Promotes greater closeness and intimacy
- And/or is useful long-term
2. Choose a gift that is useful
Useful gifts, which is to say gifts that are used more often, are superior to sentimental gifts for several reasons:
- Because they are useful, the gift recipients are more likely to feel greater appreciation towards you
- Since they are used more often, the recipients are more likely to remember your gift in particular
3. Ask the recipient(s) what they want
When in doubt, ask your gift recipient what they want. Contrary to what you might think, asking them what they want as a gift makes them more appreciative in the end [1]!
Do not wait for the "right time" to give a gift. They are always welcome! With that said, give us the gift of your email. We will update you when this guide is updated.
Gift Ideas
All the gifts below have been ordered so that the ones listed first under each category follow the most up-to-date science. But, the right gift for the person you're thinking about will be on a case-by-case basis!
All of the recommended products have been tested for the price-to-cost ratio as well as longevity by our beta-testers. Please note that each one is an Amazon associate link that helps support these guides. If you have found a better version or another product, be sure to let us know!
Kitchen
Having a great knife around can mean the difference between having fun in the kitchen or a frustrating experience.
A great piece of equipment for those that have a lot of knives. Instead of taking up precious counter space, this magnetic knife strip allows knives to be up and out of reach of any children's hands.
Simple, easy to use, and makes perfect rice every time. My childhood wouldn't be the same without one of these around.
This device is literally a game-changer for anyone that cooks. Want perfect ribs every time? Or perfect rice in minutes? Then a pressure cooker is your best friend!
Great for busy people. They can prep their dinner in the morning and come back home to a hot and tasty meal every time.
Perfect for anyone that is looking to diet down! An air fryer is able to make french fries, chicken, and vegetables have that satisfying crunch without all the extra calories.
A chef's best friend and probably mine as well. While not only being able to cook any meat to perfection any time, it also allows users to meal prep their vegetables and other goodies in one session.
While commonly used in conjunction with a sous-vide machine, these vacuum bags are also great for keeping anything and everything fresh and ready to go!
Don't knock it until you've tried it. For coffee enthusiasts, this is a well worth purchase and an amazing gift.
If you don't have these yourself, grab a few. These are always handy around the kitchen if you need to store something, ferment vegetables, and just look pretty anywhere!
It's baffling why these aren't more commonplace. Not having to touch a dirty lid ever again is more sanitary, and better yet, it's oddly satisfying to open and close these...
Clothes
These can be placed inside any shoe to make them more comfortable and even better, usable without socks!
When in a pinch, a handheld steam works wonders for getting wrinkles out of dress clothes and even day clothes. A useful device to have around when needed.
Hardware
Useful in pretty much any situation and small enough to fit anywhere. The more of these you have around, the better.
Like the many products on this list, a box cutter is a necessity once you have one. No more messily ripped mail and way less mess.
Simple, useful, and more relevant now than ever with the increase in online deliveries.
Female Specific
Everyone seems to forget the basics when it comes to gifts. Don't be like everyone, and get your recipient something they'll want to use every day.
Following the theme of nice underwear, a good pair of socks is never rejected.
From many women's accounts and current research, these are a great purchase for dealing with their menstrual cycles [1]. Make sure to consider how your recipient will feel about these before purchasing!
Technology
A must hand in the 21st century and comes in handy more times that a toothbrush does.
Without one, you never realize what you're missing until you try. With the added screen real estate, anyone can turn a work station into a productivity station anywhere.
This gift is free, but requires some setup on your end! Pi-hole is an open-source product that blocks all ads from entering your wifi network and, by extension, blocking all ads while watching videos or browsing the web.
Bathroom
This device has saved many asses, literally. What it does is in the name: It makes the toilet seat heated at all times so no one has to feel cold plastic on their tushy every again.
Side note: Make sure you buy the right size!
Several research papers have shown that having an electric toothbrush can reduce plaque and gingivitis by a noticeable amount [1, 2]. If you want your recipient to remember you not every day, but twice a day, this is a great gift!
A bidet is a toilet device that cleans the area between the cheeks with pressurized water. While it may sound weird to a western audience, these are common around the world and seem to work just as well as toilet paper. They have an added benefit of helping prevent hemorrhoids and infections as well [1]!
A safety razor, while not concretely shown to be better than a multi-blade razor, definitely does save money for the user in the long run.
As a comparison, safety blades can be as low as 10₵ while multi razors average a few dollars each. If your recipient shaves often, this purchase can save them thousands of dollars over their lifetime!
Click for either:
It's baffling why these aren't more commonplace. Not having to touch a dirty lid ever again is more sanitary, and better yet, it's oddly satisfying to open and close these...
Bedroom
These are a must-have in any hot environment. These mattress pads allow for those sleeping on them to control exactly how hot or cold they want the temperature under the blankets to be.
A nice addition to have next to any bed for their late night reading or even their electronic devices!
Many people never get to sleep in quality sheets and greatly miss out. Most people spend a third of their lives in bed; these make sure your recipient is comfy.
Following what was said above, if you know that most people spend a third of their lives with their head on the pillow, these will make their time sleeping that much more enjoyable.
As any college student will know, sometimes the sheets just don't want to stay in place. These are here to help.
Male Specific
Everyone seems to forget the basics when it comes to gifts. Don't be like everyone, and get your recipient something they'll want to use every day.
Following the theme of nice underwear, a good pair of socks is never rejected.
People tend to skimp on shoes, but a great pair will last a long while. The recommendation below is just one example, so shop around until you find something that matches your recipient's taste!
No description needed. Make sure to consider how they will feel about receiving these before purchasing!
Automobile
While some manufactures include these with the car, oftentimes they don't. They can (literally) be a lifesaver sometimes.
A cheap and easy way to make an old car feel new.
While not needed, a dash cam for a car can be great to insure that they can document their road trips and in the case of accident, use their tape to help them win the case!