Novelty Gifts & Gadgets
According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, gift giving is a mentally healthy activity that should be encouraged for all its rewards. The price or the quality of a gift often is irrelevant. Novelty gifts and gadgets, especially when given with the recipient in mind, bring both good feelings and smiles to the giver and the receiver.
Function
While commercials and advertisements push expensive gifts during traditional gift-giving holidays, kids, those with a limited budget and large lists of friends and families can find delight and thoughtfulness in novelties as gifts. According to the Nemours Foundation, a considerate novelty that represents how you feel about a person or reveals how much you know him, is every bit as effective as an expensive, serious gift at provoking good feelings.
Features
Novelty gifts usually are unique and different. They might include a set of 12 candles, one new scent for each month, like those found at RedEnvelope, or a novelty may be something new you know your friend or loved one never experienced such as a set of chopsticks or a hands-free can opener. According to a June 2010 article in Psychology Today, intelligent people appreciate new experiences.
Effects
Novelty gifts and gadgets are designed to amuse as well as challenge your loved ones and friends to remain open to new experiences and to enjoy the art of gift giving. Giving a new gadget to wipe off golf balls or a novelty remote control holder allows your gift recipient to think of you every time it's used.
Opportunities
Thoughtful novelty gifts are especially helpful for teaching kids about the value of giving, according to the Nemours Foundation. Kids can watch their parents open a gift such as an inexpensive picture frame in which they've placed a treasured picture they took during the year. Coupon books for chores and other thoughtful activities always are appreciated by parents and can be included in a novelty book or picture album dedicated to the recipient.
Options
Novelties can be useful or just plain fun. Consider options that send a message such as a pouch filled with loving sentiments on stones from RedEnvelope, candleholders or a hummingbird feeder. Useful household gadgets can include the latest electronic room deodorizer or a funny Chia pet. A smile and warm thoughts usually follow a novelty that's been given with some thought.