There is a recent opinion piece in the New York Times that relies on research to help people choose gifts that recipients will appreciate. It is entitled You’re choosing a gift—here’s what not to do, by Daniel T. Willingham, a psychologist at the University of Virginia. We agree with its research-based conclusions, because we often hear similar things from people who have received one of our pieces as a gift. We recommend that you check out the article, but here are its main conclusions:

• Ignore price. The recipient’s enjoyment of a gift has almost no relation to its cost.

• Give gifts that are actually usable. Recipients tend to prefer a practical gift and view it as more thoughtful than an impractical one.

• Don’t worry if the gift is not immediately usable. Recipients do not mind waiting to use their gift.

• Give people what they ask for. Recipients appreciate your having listened to their requests.

• Give experiences or things that enhance experiences. Experiences tend to give more long-lasting satisfaction than new possessions.

We’ve got lots of great gifts that meet many of these criteria. The gifts that people tend to tell us about include Mark’s platters, mixing bowls, spread servers, wine chillers, cruets, and mugs, as well as Sarah’s photos of birds. They’re not expensive, they’re usable, they last a long time, and they enhance the recipient’s experiences at home.

We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and peace in the new year!