Jessica Andrews-Hanna, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, describes what happens in our brains that makes gift-giving so rewarding. "All in all, psychology and neuroscience suggest that giving gifts to other people can be a very rewarding phenomenon that can bring happiness to ourselves and others," she says. "In order to maximize the benefits of gift giving, however, it will be important to take time to savor the act and not let the holiday season turn into a source of stress, as can sometimes happen when things get busy."