If you’ve ever stood in the toy aisle wondering what will actually make my kids happy, this episode is the Christmas miracle you need. We unpack the surprising research on gift-giving—why experiences matter, when they don’t, and what different ages really want (and remember!) on Christmas morning. This one will change how you wrap Christmas… literally.

KEY POINTS

• The science-backed truth: giving really does make us happier than receiving.
• Why toddlers get more joy from giving than getting (what?!).
• The ages where kids prefer “stuff”… and why it’s developmentally normal.
• When experiences finally “click” for kids and bring more lasting joy.
• How anticipation, shared moments and memories make experiences powerful.
• A simple framework for choosing the right gift for the right child at the right age.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“It’s not what you give — it’s that you give — that makes you happy.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Dunn & Norton
• Research on children’s happiness, gifts, and development (Chaplin & colleagues)

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Match the gift to your child’s age — material for younger kids, experiences as they grow.
2. Add anticipation — reveal experiences with something they can hold or open.
3. Share the moment — plan joint experiences for deeper connection and lasting happiness.
4. Teach generosity — include simple opportunities for kids to give (even $5 makes a difference).
5. Shift the focus — emphasise meaning, memory and togetherness over “more things”.

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