Gift Giving & Happiness

Happiness drives so much we humans do. 

If we have a goal for something - we believe we will feel happy and joyous once we achieve it. 

If we want to get a better job - it's  most likely because we want to be happier in the new job. 

If we want to lose weight - it's because we want to feel happier about our weight in addition to any health benefits. 

Happiness has been long studied and scientists and psychologists have studied it. The results have show there are a mixture of reasons for what influences happiness. Genetics, whats going on in a persons life and then their intentional activities all play a part. 

It has been suggested from one study about 40% of happiness comes from intentional activities.

Happiness has been linked to experiences, the relationships we have and acts of kindness. 

How Happiness Relates to Gift Giving

An interested aspect of happiness, is that studies have backed up that giving actually makes us happy and feel good about ourselves. Yes it's nice for the gift recipient to get a gift but the giving of a gift and receiving of a gift - both people actually get something out of it in terms of how they feel afterwards.

Giving can bring alot of joy. This has been described and become known as the 'helper's high''. Serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine can kick in - in the gift givers brain. 

These are feel good chemicals and neurotransmitters. These same neurotransmitters are linked to bonding and indeed love. 

In the Journal Science, a study from 2008 found that people who spent money on others were happier than if they spent the money on themselves. 

When we think about this from our own lives, we can see the truth in it. Yes we love to buy things for ourselves but giving a gift to a Mom on mothers day that she really enjoys makes us feel so good. 

So the act of giving, if it is an act of kindness or a gift giving exercise actually can have a large impact on our well-being. 

The Psychological Connection Between Gift Giving and Happiness

Gift giving has been the cultural norm and has long formed part of the human experience and human psychology. 

Here are reasons gift giving can improve our overall wellbeing and happiness. 

Strengthens Social Bonds

We humans are such social creatures aren't we.

Relationships, good relationships, loving relationships form such a massive part of our happiness experience in life. 

For those we love - gift giving reinforces these bonds. We love giving gifts to make our Moms, Dads, wives etc. those we love happy and we've never met someone who says ''ya I don't like receiving gifts''. Dads can often say ''sure I have everything'' etc. but then when they get a good they like they love it. 

Personalized gifts then especially can strengthen emotional bonds, show the love and put a smile on the giver and gift receives face.

Triggers Positive Emotions

When you're giving a gift you think the recipient will really like - you get excited yourself don't you. 

If you have a gift bought for a Mom say, you know will have an emotional impact, you can't wait to give it to her and then hug it out. 

It's a natural dopamine hit for the gift giver and then gift receiver. 

Creates a Sense of Purpose

Doing acts of kindness, doing gift giving, can give us a sense of purpose and meaning. It can create or improve life satisfaction also. Our Moms or whoever has done so much good for us - how can we pamper them and show the love etc. 

Encourages Gratitude

Whoever the loved one is that gets a thoughtful gift, well then they feel appreciated, thankful even joyous.

So the gift recipients happiness also increases, as does their wellbeing. 

Enhances Personal Identity and Self-Worth

The truth is, getting someone a meaningful, thoughtful give - makes us look better too. 

We choose it, we know what she / he likes, we make someone happy. 

It shows us to be doing something good and shows we care and love.

The Role of Personalized Gifts in Happiness

Not every gift has the same emotional impact. 

To make a gift unique, personal, meaningful as it connects with the life of the gift recipient, then personalized gifts shows the thoughtfulness and it can strengthen the emotional connection and can increase the happiness factor. 

You are not getting someone a generic gift as in a one for all gift. 

You are giving someone a personalized gift, specifically for them. It should be a keepsake and the recipient should get alot more joy out of a personalized gift than a generic gift. 

A memorable photo, a special memory, names etc can form part of the personalized gifts. A custom engraved cutting board with a Moms Name, or family name, or message is an example, for a gift for a Mom who enjoys her kitchen. 

its all about positive emotions, showing the love, and creating lasting joy. We may not achieve this everyday but this is what makes life exciting and sweeter.

Final Thoughts: Spreading Happiness Through Gift Giving

We can make ourselves and others happy with experiences, relationships and by the act of giving and kindness. 

If you want a personalized gift for a family member, for a couple, friend etc. check out our catalogue see if something takes your fancy.

When you're giving a gift to a loved one, it is out the gift product itself, but its massively about the happiness it brings. Thoughtful, personalized gifts can make a persons day and improve your happiness too.

We know we've done it.