The psychotherapist shared her life facts on choosing New Year's gifts

The annual New Year's Eve fuss with the choice of gifts is a kind of psychological revelation that reveals our true motives in relationships with loved ones. As Irina Krashkina, a psychotherapist at the Academician Roitberg clinic, Candidate of medical Sciences, explained in an interview with Izvestia on December 15, a gift is not a test of generosity, but a "psychological map" that shows what roles we try on in communication.

According to her, through the choice of a gift, we convey the desire to support, surprise, express affection or anxiety "just to please."

The specialist identified several psychological types of donors. The "mastermind" chooses gifts that open up new paths, such as courses, hobby tools, or gadgets for experimentation, sending a signal: "I believe in your future."

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The "rescuer" focuses on creating comfort by giving items that make life easier, such as massage pillows, subscriptions to services, which often reflects his own unconscious needs. The "provocateur" lives in an emotional register and strives to leave a vivid mark in memory, choosing extreme impressions or unusual objects that evoke strong emotions," Krashkina shared.

The "subtle observer," according to her, is distinguished by a rare attention to detail, giving exactly the fragrance or object that the recipient once casually praised. The Architect of the Future invests in long-term sustainability by offering annual subscriptions or training programs. "Aesthete" does not give functionality, but an atmosphere and mood through beautiful interior details or elegant gizmos. As Krashkina notes, one person often plays different roles with different people, and the most honest way to find out their type is to analyze their own purchases.

For those who want to go beyond the usual gift-giving scenario, the therapist suggests asking yourself three questions: what is important for a person right now, what causes him anxiety and what can give him strength for the coming months. The answers form the direction for finding a more meaningful gift. The choice may be based on the recipient's hobbies, practicality, emotional value, or the effect of surprise — from sports accessories to a starry sky projector.

Krashkina emphasizes that a gift is, first of all, a language through which we express attention and participation, strengthening common traditions and creating "anchors of memory." At the same time, it is equally important to give yourself a gift, which is an act of care that helps restore the resource and set up an internal dialogue for goodwill. The New Year, according to the expert, is a time not only to give a miracle to others, but also to allow a little magic for yourself.

On December 4, Natalia Krasilnikova, PR director of the Mamba dating service, told Izvestia that on the eve of the New Year, many couples face difficulty choosing gifts: it seems that a loved one already has everything they need and it becomes difficult to buy something original. However, the main thing is not the cost, but attention to the habits and daily needs of the partner.

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