An inquiry into why we give, what we give, how we give, and what it says about us.Originally published in Esquire Weekly.
And it takes skill. And talent. And even if you don't have those, there is still a way you can improve, according to Stephen Marche. Here's how.
Because that's what surprises and gifts and happiness really boil down to, too: a reaction in a person's head. We put a social cognition researcher and a best-selling behavioral economist on the case here.
Which some of us learned when we were ex-cowboy drama queens. Here, Scott Raab details the moment he realized the danger of gifts.
Which is what happened to Tom Junod.
Like this little train did, for Chris Jones.
These slippers, he says, civilized a young, barbaric Joe Keohane.
Mike Sager makes the case against giving gifts at all. None. Because, as he explains, there's actually something much, much better — and easier — than presents.
We’re all for nice ties, but what Toys for Tots really needs is new toys for children of all ages, especially for preteens and early teens—iPods, sports equipment, wrist watches, radios, battery-powered games, remote-control cars, books, and of course cash. So save the cellulite cream for your Uncle Louis.
You really need to just spend more than forty-three seconds of thought on what you get.