Nov. 27, 2017 "Objects versus experiences: which are the better gift?": Today I found this article by Gail Johnson in the Globe and Mail:
To celebrate her 50th birthday this past summer, Laura Clancy and her husband, Matt, splurged on a trip to Italy. It was a vacation of vineyards and hot Tuscan sun, but it was what her partner did on her actual birthday that really blew her away.
Mr. Clancy managed to get the two a spot at Osteria Francescana, a 12-table, triple-Michelin-star-rated restaurant in Modena. It's headed by Massimo Bottura, who is considered one of the greatest chefs in the world.
Champagne flowed, and they indulged in course after course – including the culinary legend's famous tortellini, a dish he learned from his mom, and a dessert called "Oops, I dropped the lemon tart." Mr. Bottura even went over to introduce himself.
Champagne flowed, and they indulged in course after course – including the culinary legend's famous tortellini, a dish he learned from his mom, and a dessert called "Oops, I dropped the lemon tart." Mr. Bottura even went over to introduce himself.
"That was a dream come true," Ms. Clancy, a teacher, avid cook and cancer survivor, says of the evening. "It's something I'll never forget. Just knowing how hard it is to get into that restaurant – all the effort that went into it and what Matt did for me; it had so much meaning in it. And meeting the man himself … I just about passed out."
No material object could have topped it.
As we head into the year's busiest shopping season, merchants are doing all they can to lure in customers and see sales spike. When determining how to spend their hard-earned money, many people assume that a physical possession will create more happiness than something like a trip, concert or outdoor adventure, since objects last longer. However, presents that come in boxes with bows may pale in comparison to "experiential" gifts – and science supports that.
Thomas Gilovich is a professor of psychology at Cornell University who has studied extensively how people feel about spending money on objects versus experiential purchases. His research concludes that happiness comes from experiences, not things.
Experiences are more resistant to adaptation than objects, he says, referring to a term used in psychology to indicate the decreased effect of a stimulus after extended exposure. And adaptation is the enemy of happiness.
So, while that new mobile phone, necklace, or pair of skis might thrill at first, the delight will wear off. We get used to our things, but we remember experiences long after they've happened.
So, while that new mobile phone, necklace, or pair of skis might thrill at first, the delight will wear off. We get used to our things, but we remember experiences long after they've happened.
"An experience contributes more to who you are, your sense of identity," Prof. Gilovich says. "You can love your material things, but however much you love them and identify with them, they nonetheless remain separate from you. Experiences really are part of you; we are the sum total of our experiences."
People enjoy the anticipation of having an experience more than that of owning a thing, Prof. Gilovich notes. Experiential purchases also have a social effect, in that they connect us to others in a way that objects simply can't.
"When you share stories of experiences, generally you have better conversations than when you share stories of material goods," Prof. Gilovich says. "If you find out that we vacation in the same place in New Zealand, we feel closer to each other. We might feel closer to each other if we had the same car, but not nearly as much."
Since they're so often shared, experiential purchases bring people together, literally and figuratively.
For her family, Whistler resident Sonya Hwang has come to love thinking outside the box; she says that experience-based gifts have become the norm. She and her husband, Harvey Lim, and their two children have gone hiking, been on an eagle-watching float along the Squamish River with the Squamish Rafting Company, participated in Animal Encounters at the Vancouver Aquarium (where guests interact with biologists and trainers), and made their way out of an escape room at Escape! Whistler.
Recently, they took in a production of the Nutcracker performed by the Russian Ballet, a first for the children and a gift from her mother.
Recently, they took in a production of the Nutcracker performed by the Russian Ballet, a first for the children and a gift from her mother.
"Life's about leaving those memories," Ms. Hwang says. "Those kinds of gifts have a more meaningful impact, plus the whole family can enjoy them.
"I also like them [experiential gifts] for environmental reasons," she adds. "There's too much stuff. You can purge, but the problem with purging is it takes time. If you don't bring it in, in the first place, you're saving yourself time."
People's desire for memorable experiences has given rise to a whole new industry; consider companies like Ottawa-based Breakaway Experiences, Vancouver's Perfect Day Experiences, and Edmonton's Epic Experiences.
Flying lessons, kayak tours, archery sessions, wildlife viewing, sleigh rides, parasailing adventures – those are just some of the creative options the ventures have on offer for customers needing a little help coming up with memorable non-object offerings.
Flying lessons, kayak tours, archery sessions, wildlife viewing, sleigh rides, parasailing adventures – those are just some of the creative options the ventures have on offer for customers needing a little help coming up with memorable non-object offerings.
When Anya Levykh's daughter, Maya, turned 10 almost two years ago, the Vancouver resident suspected she might ask for an iPod or iPhone. Instead, the girl told her mom, "I want to have an experience."
A little surprised at first, Ms. Levykh says it didn't take long for her tween to decide on a birthday adventure: She would try raw oysters for the first time and go see a live local production of Pride and Prejudice. A Jane Austen fan, she adored the play. At dinner, the chef showed her how he shucked the shellfish and even brought her a candied cranberry in an oyster shell dusted with pink sugar for dessert.
A little surprised at first, Ms. Levykh says it didn't take long for her tween to decide on a birthday adventure: She would try raw oysters for the first time and go see a live local production of Pride and Prejudice. A Jane Austen fan, she adored the play. At dinner, the chef showed her how he shucked the shellfish and even brought her a candied cranberry in an oyster shell dusted with pink sugar for dessert.
"It was an amazing experience for her," Ms. Levykh says. "She was over the moon."
In fact, she liked it so much that Maya now prefers non-object gifts to typical presents. For her 11th birthday, she and her mom spent a weekend in Victoria. Last Christmas, she asked for "magic," a series of evenings where she and her mom would go and explore special seasonal events: VanDusen Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights and Canyon Lights at North Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, for example. They put together an agenda and took photos at each outing.
"She thought it was the best thing ever," Ms. Levykh says. "Yes, there was a present under the tree from Santa, but that wasn't the focus.
"Those experiences stay with her," she adds. "She's come to really treasure them, therefore that's what she's found to be really valuable, really precious, and that's what she asks for. It takes some planning … but she likes being part of that. It builds the anticipation, and it's something we do together."
When John Ferrie's father, Jock, turned 89, he took Jock shopping for a slick pair of runners then out for tacos (his dad's request). Over dinner, Jock revealed what he really wanted for his birthday: the chance for them to go ziplining together.
Mr. Ferrie booked a package with Ziptrek Ecotours in Whistler that consisted of 10 zips, one of them more than two kilometres long with riders reaching speeds of about 100 kilometres an hour.
"To see him grab that harness and jump off … I just about lost it," Mr. Ferrie says. "He was just fearless. He was just having a ball, laughing his head off.
"It was such a touching day," Mr. Ferrie adds. "We had this really great bonding day, just the two of us. It was really something special. He still talks about it as the best day of his life."
Left of Right
5 hours ago
It's the thought and effort that counts - whether buying the "right" gift or planning the right experience.
sakshik
7 days ago
Nov. 30, 2017 "Home- made gifts": Today I found this article by Liane Faulder in the Edmonton Journal:
So much about holiday shopping is expensive and tiring. Especially dispiriting are the parts that see you doubt not only your choices, but the very spirit of the season.
Shoppers will be pleased to learn that a new catalogue of gifts crafted in Edmonton not only makes the process easy and affordable, it creates jobs, and goodwill along the way.
Gifted, the Edmonton Made Gift Catalogue, was assembled by Edmonton Economic Development as the first in an annual publication series designed to draw attention (and dollars) to Edmontonians who make products from T-shirts to tables right here at home.
“We wanted it to be easy for people to shop local,” says EED’s Laura Tailleur, program manager with Edmonton Made.
Six categories of product appear in the catalogue: apparel and jewelry, bath and body, artwork, food, books and stationery, and furniture and home accessories.
There are high-end items, such as a $975 CUB Chair by Wronko Woods, and affordable treats, such as a $9 jar of blueberry rhubarb jam by Fruits of Sherbrooke. Copper Cherry makes something called a Hayden backpack ($160) sure to make any hipster proud. You could spend $70 on earrings by HeartStrings Jewelry, or $5.25 on a sweet by The Violet Chocolate Co.
For those who likes someone else to make the decisions, a number of the local products have been grouped in gift boxes geared to food lovers, men, and those whose eyes search for sparkles. The themed boxes, which are on-line but not in the print catalogue, have been put together by YEG Box Co. — a new subscription service in Edmonton launched by two friends, Daphne Simkin and Lana Dukart.
Curated boxes start at $60 with The Food Box, heralding flavours by Fruits of Sherbrooke, The Violet Chocolate Co., MELT Confections, and JACEK Chocolate Couture. The Sparkle Box ($115) cradles a piece of hand-made jewelry by Farm Wife Style, plus chocolates by JACEK and a skin care product by PLANTiful. The Guy Box has at its centre a hand-screened T-shirt by Salgado and Fenwick.
The boxes can also be seen and purchased at a pop-up store in Southgate Mall, located near Pandora. Though the pop-up store is only around for the holiday season, the YEG Box partners’ devotion to promoting local runs year-around.
The company started last November with a monthly service that delivers dozens of items to folks interested in supporting the local economy through their consumer choices. YEG Box Co. also offers one-off boxes for special occasions, such as the birth of a baby.
“A local business has heart,” says Simkin of the duo’s decision to promote Edmonton with their new venture.
They’ve been blown away by the response. Simkin was a intensive care nurse, and Dukart a pharmacist; the two now work full-time in their fledgling business and have three part-time employees.
“People want to support local, but they didn’t know how,” says Simkin, noting YEG Box has customers in every province. “These are people who could be your friend, your neighbour or your co-worker.”
NOTE: Finding that big box anchors are not always the draw one might have hoped, some mall managers have looked to local to attract shoppers with a range of pop-up booths. Kingsway Mall has just launched something called Community, a pop-up area with several local culinary start-up companies selling chocolate, lemonade and pastries. The West Edmonton Mall recently opened RAAS, an area featuring 25 small, local artisans such as Pura Botanicals, Apollo Originals and Moonshine Doughnuts.
http://edmontonjournal.com/life/food/hand-made-gift-catalogue-put-edmonton-under-the-tree-this-year
Nov. 30, 2017 "Study details extent of violence faced by hospital workers": Today I found this article by Sheryl Ubelacker in the Globe and Mail:
Violent incidents can occur in virtually any part of a hospital, perpetrated by patients and even by visiting family members. While attacks often involve patients with psychiatric issues or those high on illicit drugs, they also can occur when patients frustrated by long waits and what they see as inadequate care react with abuse or violence, research shows.
Violent incidents can occur in virtually any part of a hospital, perpetrated by patients and even by visiting family members. While attacks often involve patients with psychiatric issues or those high on illicit drugs, they also can occur when patients frustrated by long waits and what they see as inadequate care react with abuse or violence, research shows.
This article totally reminded me of this Mar. 2017 blog post:
"Paramedic problems"/ "From needing a transplant to campaigning for others"
My opinion: We should all have more compassion. Or at least treat others with respect. Or at least learn how to stay calm and not get angry.
Dec. 2, 2017 "The Singing Christmas Tree returns for it's 48th year": Today I found this article by Joanne McGowan in the Edmonton Journal:
Perhaps the most rewarding benefit that comes with returning to see the show each year is the knowledge that all net proceeds received by the John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation are donated to various local charities and organizations via gifts, food, and music education.
“Our focus is on children and doing what we can to share the gift of music with them,” Doll says. “Over the years, we have used the money to buy instruments for organizations that simply can’t afford them. I wish I could put into words the emotion we feel when, months later, the kids who received the instruments put on concert for us. It’s powerful and life changing for us and the children.”
The 48th annual Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree will run from December 14 - 17 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, featuring a total of six performances, including two matinees.
Adds Doll, “When people purchase a ticket to the Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree, they are ultimately helping us change lives.”
My week
Sun. Nov. 26: It was actually not that busy at work.
Mon. Nov. 27: It was my day off, but they called me in the morning to come because a worker was sick.
It turns out K worked here for 2 weeks, and then she quit. 2 weeks later, she's hired again. I asked her why she came back and she said she had anxiety and was unsure about this job. Then she wanted to work here.
Tues. Nov. 28: I worked.
Wed. Nov. 29: My day off.
Thurs. Nov. 30: Work.
Fri. Dec. 1: Work.
The highlight of the week: I was listening to these telesummit interviews. They're like self- development and positive:
Kristina Wolf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBOELKUQYM&feature=youtu.be
Sacha Sterling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9FlDKIIDJw&feature=youtu.be
Katherine Koroll:
https://www.worldconfidencesummit.com/teresa-cameron/
Heather: My friend Heather posted a Facebook video of her talking about feelings. I haven't seen her in person since 2008 when I was 22. It was her going-away party where she was moving across the country.
I totally remembered it where Leslie, her mom drove us to this karaoke bar.
I had reconnected with Heather in 2007 through Facebook. I haven't seen her since high school.
South Park: I also watched this season's episodes that I recorded on my DVR.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: I don't watch much scary movies, but this was an action movie too so I watched it for the action. It was average.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1611224/?ref_=nv_sr_2
Dec. 4, 2017:
Mon. Nov. 27: It was my day off, but they called me in the morning to come because a worker was sick.
It turns out K worked here for 2 weeks, and then she quit. 2 weeks later, she's hired again. I asked her why she came back and she said she had anxiety and was unsure about this job. Then she wanted to work here.
Tues. Nov. 28: I worked.
Wed. Nov. 29: My day off.
Thurs. Nov. 30: Work.
Fri. Dec. 1: Work.
The highlight of the week: I was listening to these telesummit interviews. They're like self- development and positive:
Kristina Wolf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBOELKUQYM&feature=youtu.be
Sacha Sterling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9FlDKIIDJw&feature=youtu.be
Katherine Koroll:
https://www.worldconfidencesummit.com/teresa-cameron/
Heather: My friend Heather posted a Facebook video of her talking about feelings. I haven't seen her in person since 2008 when I was 22. It was her going-away party where she was moving across the country.
I totally remembered it where Leslie, her mom drove us to this karaoke bar.
I had reconnected with Heather in 2007 through Facebook. I haven't seen her since high school.
South Park: I also watched this season's episodes that I recorded on my DVR.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: I don't watch much scary movies, but this was an action movie too so I watched it for the action. It was average.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1611224/?ref_=nv_sr_2
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: I was checking out the above movie, and I find this. John Krasinski (from The Office) is the star of this show. It's on Amazon. Maybe I'll be able to watch it.
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