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Dec 22, 2007

"When Love gives, it gives all; when it takes, it takes all. Its very taking is giving." --Mikhail Naimy

The Giver's Gains in Giving Gifts

The holiday season offers a unique opportunity to reflect on what it means to give and receive gifts. A 2005 survey showed that four out of five Americans think the holidays are too materialistic, but recent findings point to an intriguing element of gift giving -- a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends. Though the social value of giving has been recognized throughout human history, interestingly enough, new research investigates the effect at an individual level and finds that it is often the giver, rather than the recipient, who reaps the biggest psychological gains from a gift. The NY Times further explores gift giving.