Christmas Gifts or Experiences? - Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

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”.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.