As the holiday season approaches, people start their anticipated wishlists. They grow more and more eager with each passing day. From Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa, for many, receiving gifts is one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season. Getting to feel the love and appreciation someone has for you and feeling special that one day a year, because you feel recognized, can really make a difference. This excitement accompanies receiving gifts and makes for the most rewarding part of the holidays.
According to an article about how receiving gifts makes us feel, when we receive a gift, we experience a release of serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. The combination of these chemicals, to put it simply, makes us feel good (teakandtwine.com). Simply the excitement and expectancy of being given something positive sets off our brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, which is associated with motivation and pleasure. When we feel appreciated or acknowledged, serotonin gets released in our brains. This promotes calm and happy feelings. Because the gift symbolizes that a person cares, oxytocin gets released in our brains, causing us to feel warm and fuzzy (ledapparel.com). Together, these chemicals result in feelings of happiness and positive emotions when we are given a gift.
One of the main reasons why people love receiving gifts is because it shows that the person who gave the gift has paid attention to who they are and what they like. Recipients love the sentiment of the gift rather than how much something is worth, according to The New York Times (nytimes.com). Anyone who has been given an unexpected gift would understand. Freshman Tala Wolf said, “Last Christmas, my friend gave me a sweater that I love. When she gave it to me, I felt so happy. Now every time I wear that sweater I associate it with her and good memories.” When we are given a meaningful gift, our brains link to the positive emotion we associate with that gift. Receiving gifts will always lead to happy feelings and other benefits (teakandtwine.com).
Trying to find the perfect gift for someone can cause stress and anxiety. Obsessing over how the person will react and whether they will like it or not can make gift-giving quite stressful. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Anxiety is highest precisely in situations of gift exchange, such as Christmas or Hanukkah.” Many worry about ruining their relationships or triggering the wrong reaction, as a single gift can alter a relationship’s dynamic if it sends the wrong message (latimes.com).
For some, receiving gifts is part of a love language. According to Business Wire, “The most popular gift recipients include significant others (56.7 percent).” Although sentimental gifts may be more appreciated, expensive and flashy presents definitely won’t go unnoticed. Although giving cash or gift cards might be the most popular or easiest choices, they don’t show the same sentiment or leave as grand a lasting impression on the recipient as a more personalized gift (businesswire.com). Sentimental gifts, on the other hand, can go a long way, as new memories or traditions can blossom from a good gift. From making noodles with your family using your new pasta maker, to cozy evenings by the fire reading your new book, sharing special moments with your family and making memories can start with a thoughtful gift.
Receiving a gift that someone has wanted forever but never had the opportunity to buy can bring great joy and satisfaction. Also, getting a thoughtful gift that cost almost nothing can be just as meaningful. Knowing that someone loves and appreciates us can really make a difference in our lives. Allowing oneself to be a courteous receiver is truly an act of love because it creates a chance for others to give.