If you’re feeling overwhelmed by gift giving this holiday season, adopting Blumenthaler’s approach of eliminating or even limiting gift exchanges in favor of shared experiences might help create new holiday traditions. But gift giving doesn’t always create the desired outcome for the giver and recipient. Some people have eliminated gift giving entirely, shifting their focus to shared experiences such as traveling, donating to charitable organizations or both. “There are reasons that people could say no to gift giving that help us refocus on the relationships,” Ward said. “Research says accompanying a holiday gift with a letter that talks about the relationship can be equally or more rewarding than just giving a gift,” Ward said.

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Persons: Alex Blumenthaler, ” Blumenthaler, ”, Morgan Ward, doesn’t, —, Diane Gottsman, ” Ward, ” Gottsman, Gottsman, Ward Organizations: CNN, Emory, Goizueta Business School, Protocol, of Texas Locations: Atlanta