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Why Gifts Should Be a Surprise: The Neuroscience of Giving | Craftihouse

Why Gifts Should Be a Surprise: The Neuroscience of Giving

Why the gift should be a surprise?

A study from the University of Pennsylvania discovered that human brains are hardwired to enjoy unexpected rewards. In the study, when people received an unexpected gain, the neurons in the substantia nigra (which play a significant role in reward) “exhibited significantly higher firing rates”. In other words, that awesome feeling you get when you get a surprise is hardwired into your brain.

Unwrapping a beautifully boxed mystery gift with excitement and curiosity

Research is increasingly showing that it’s not about how much money you give that makes you happy, but the act of giving itself. And that act of giving kick starts a cycle of happiness. And who doesn’t want to get (and give) a little more happiness in their day-to-day life?

So nothing is more exciting than not knowing what someone buys for you.

It says that you put thought into buying for them and didn’t just ask for a wishlist.

One way to surprise people is to give them their gift a day before they should be receiving them. It says that you knew the day was coming and you were proactive about surprising them.

"Unexpected rewards fire up our neural pathways, proving that the true magic of gift-giving lies in the element of surprise."
Curated mystery gift box and artisanal subscription items ready for gifting

Another way to surprise people is with a recurring mystery gift.

Subscription services are great for that. You surprise them once with a year subscription, and then they get a recurring surprise for 12 months after that.

6th Aug 2017

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