The festive season is here. And with it, lots of presents. It’s become normal to receive gifts around Christmas-time – from family, partners, co-workers and friends. Some may even be cynical about the commercialisation of the season. But is there a psychological case for the art of gift giving? And can we all aspire to be better, more purposeful gift-givers?

This is our edit of the global conversation on purpose:

• How to tell whether your donations are doing the maximum good – The New York Times
• Reviewing 2021: it’s been a tough year for business – Raconteur 
• The Beautiful Truth’s Gift Guide 2021 – The Beautiful Truth
• How to give the elusive perfect present – The Financial Times
• Black consumers’ economic power is set to skyrocket in the next decade. Here’s how business can invest to better serve the Black community – McKinsey 
• Our brains respond positively to giving: it’s good for us and others – Forbes
• A year in four charts: the big business trends of 2021 captured in graphic form – The Economist
• Is it really the thought that counts when it comes to gift giving? Psychologists weigh in – The Washington Post