Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/190941 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
cege Discussion Papers No. 361
Publisher: 
University of Göttingen, Center for European, Governance and Economic Development Research (cege), Göttingen
Abstract: 
In this paper, we study the welfare effects of Christmas presents with a focus on the effect of presents for gift-givers. Based on a survey among students at the University of Göttingen, Germany, we find that the vast majority of gift-givers prefers in-kind gifts compared to gifts of money. The average present in our survey has a price of 36 Euro and results in a "giver's surplus" of 10 Euro. This indicates a welfare gain of approximately 143% from the average giver's perspective. The welfare gain for presents to friends and partners is lower than for presents to close family members. Our empirical analysis shows a negative effect of a present's price on the welfare gain for gift-givers.
Subjects: 
presents
gift-giving
Christmas
welfare
JEL: 
D61
D64
H42
Z1
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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