"If someone truly wants an object, consider choosing one that's fair-trade and environmentally responsible. Sadly, much of the "stuff" we find on shelves has been made in sweatshops by underpaid workers (and even children). You can make a difference by being selective about where you spend your dollars. Ethical consumption increases well-being-not just for the recipient, but for the giver, too-because it aligns our actions with our values and our care for the larger world."
"Yesterday, a journalist reached out to talk with me about gift-giving-how we choose gifts, what we offer, and what to do when the whole process doesn't exactly spark joy. It's a question many of us feel at this time of year: What does it really mean to give well? We've heard all the marketing and the push to consume, throw ourselves on sales, and buy more stuff. But hold on... what does research tell us about gifts that don't just fill space, but genuinely enrich a life?"
Most meaningful gifts support core human needs: discovery, connection, service, and inner peace. Experiences generally produce more lasting happiness than material items and strengthen bonds when shared. Choose objects that are fair-trade and environmentally responsible to align spending with ethical values and improve well-being for both giver and recipient. Offer service, support, or handmade items infused with time, presence, and love to create deeper impact. Gift practices that cultivate inner peace—such as meditation, breathwork, or shared challenges—to promote enduring well-being rather than temporary pleasure from consumption.
Read at Psychology Today
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