Let’s admit it—all of us love to get and give gifts.  Just the idea of unwrapping a brightly adorned present stimulates the possibility of finding our dreams fulfilled.  Giving can be equally rewarding—with a sweet anticipation of connection and recognized love and appreciation from the receiver.  Unfortunately, much of the time the gifts we are given fall far short of our expected dreams.   At the same time, those we lavish gifts upon, often seem less than appreciative and oblivious to our hoped-for connections.  But when you think about it, maybe the fault isn’t in the desire to give and receive.   Instead, chances are it’s our routine and unconscious expectations of the season—and/or the less-than-altruistic manipulations of retailers.    That’s why it might be time to start rethinking all gift-giving in a brand new SMART way—and start enjoying Christmas even more.

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