It’s that time of the year again! Twinkling lights are filling the streets, Christmas trees are up and gleaming, and the holiday spirit is in full swing. But let’s be honest, the pressure to find the perfect gift can turn even the jolliest person into a Scrooge. What if I told you there’s a secret to finding the perfect present? It’s all about understanding a few insights from behavioural science. So, take a deep breath, and let’s unwrap the science of gifting together.
Why Too Many Choices Can Make Gift Giving Harder
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Less is more”- and trust me, it really is. Too many options can lead to stress and second-guessing, leaving us less satisfied with the choice we ultimately end up making.
Imagine choosing what topping you’re going to slather over your toast at home. You’ve got two options: honey or raspberry jam. Easy decision right? (Honey all the way!). But now, imagine you’re at a hotel buffet, staring at a line-up of honey, jam, marmalade, chocolate spread, peanut butter… and the list goes on. Not such a simple decision anymore, is it? Suddenly, you’re overwhelmed and unsure what to pick. Too many choices= too much stress.
This choice overload is exactly what happens when you’re trying to pick the perfect gift. When you’re faced with a mountain of options, it’s easy to second-guess yourself and feel unsure about your decision. Is this really the perfect gift after all?
So this holiday season, remember: narrow your choices and focus on one thoughtfully chosen gift. Less really is more!
Why Messy Wrapping Might Just Make Your Gift Even More Special
Okay, be honest- how many hours have you spent trying to make your presents look Pinterest-perfect, only to end up frustrated and asking a friend to work their magic? If you’re anything like me, the answer is a lot! We’re constantly told that gifts need to look great, but is all that extra effort really worth it?
According to behavioural science, maybe not.
It turns out that the way a gift is wrapped plays a huge role in how it’s perceived. This is known as the contrast effect. If you wrap a gift beautifully, we automatically expect that what’s inside will be equally perfect. If the gift inside doesn’t match the packaging, it can lead to disappointment. But with imperfect wrapping- hello lumps and bumps- expectations are lower. When a gift exceeds these expectations, the present seems even better. So, you can relax and save yourself the hassle of perfecting every fold.
Now, before you get too carried away with your new-found wrapping freedom, there’s a catch. This ‘bad wrapping effect’ only really works with close friends and family. If you’re giving a present to someone you don’t know as well- say a work colleague- it’s better to put in a little more effort with wrapping. Otherwise, you give off the impression you don’t care, making them feel undervalued. So, if you want to stay in the good books at your office Christmas party, you might want to invest in giving a more polished present- and maybe ask your friend for a hand!
Why Your Favourite Gift Might Not Be Their Favourite
Sometimes I can’t fathom anyone not wanting to be given a big tub of Biscoff, but apparently there are people out there who’d rather not have it (crazy, right?!). Just because I would love it, doesn’t mean everyone else will. That’s where the projection bias comes into play. Even I’m not immune to it!
Take this recent experience: I was walking past a café and saw the most incredible looking brownie. I had to have it! Since I can’t eat dairy, I did the next best thing- bought it for my partner thinking “If I want it, he’ll want it too!”. His reaction? “Brownies aren’t really my favourite”.
You can probably guess what happened here- I assumed that just because I wanted the brownie, my partner would too. In reality, he’d much rather I bought him a slice of cake. It’s a reminder that just because something excites us, it doesn’t mean it will resonate with everyone else. So, when picking out gifts, it’s important to remember it’s about their preferences, not ours!
Wrapping It Up
So, this holiday season with a little help from behavioural science, you can make better decisions that will bring more joy. Remember:
- Too many options can lead to overwhelm, so stick to one thoughtful gift instead of a mountain of choices.
- Messy wrapping? No problem as long as you’re giving presents to someone close.
- Always keep in mind that what you would love isn’t always what they will love.
With these tips in mind, you can go into the Christmas period feeling more confident that your present will hit the mark.
