Here’s how to pick the right gift

The findings published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin showed that gift recipients were happier with a present when the giver got themselves the same present. The researchers called it “companionising”.

“The fact that a gift is shared with the giver makes it a better gift in the eyes of the receiver,” Polman said.

“They like a companionised gift more, and they even feel closer to the giver,” Polman added.

Hundreds of participants in the study rated how likable, thoughtful and considerate they would find each of a long list of gifts — or how likable, thoughtful and considerate the gifts would be if the attached card included a message like, “I hope you like the gift. I got myself the same one too!”

Scores went up for gifts — such as staplers, umbrellas, wool socks and headphones — that also found a home with the giver.

“We were inspired originally by things like friendship bracelets, where two people would have two things that kind of make up a whole,” Polman said.

But experiments within their study showed the giver and receiver did not have to be close friends or relatives for the companionisation effect to work.