Life as We Know it

Christmas will soon be upon us. Therefore, many of you will be thinking to yourself: What present should I get for a loved one? Would it be better to give a physical gift, a thing, or perhaps an experience? Research published in the Journal of Consumer Research answers that question. The research has found that experiential gifts produce greater improvements in relationship strength than material gifts, regardless of whether the gift-giver and recipient consume the gift together. The researchers Cindy Chan and Cassie Mogilner found that the relationship improvements that recipients derive from experiential gifts stem from the intensity of emotion that is evoked when they consume the gifts, rather than when the gifts are received.  "The reason experiential gifts are more socially connecting is that they tend to be more emotionally evocative," says Chan, an expert on consumer relationships. For example, most people can relate to the experience of thinking of a particular piece...

Sunday 13 November 2022 was Remembrance Sunday, the day when we remember those men and women who fought for our country. Armistice Day is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany. Although our remembrance is focused on WWI, our thoughts and feelings extend to ALL men and women of the armed forces, particularly those who have died in the line of duty. The youngest World War II veterans will now be in their late 90s. However, war is not isolated to 1914-18 and 1939-45. People who perhaps were fighting in the Gulf in 1991 may now only be in their 50s or 60s. Some of them may well have left the Services after their initial contracted time and therefore could be working in completely different sectors now, people who could be members of YOUR NETWORK. The memories of any soldier, sailor or pilot, or any of the other diverse roles that comprise war, will be utterly unique to that individual. Of course, people's li...