The Science of Generosity & Holiday Gift Guide | Schauer Thoughts

Get ready for a strange mix of holiday cheer and fear, this week we’re serving up the science and psychology of generosity with a side of lore (my lore.) Don’t worry, things will be merry and bright… eventually. I’m just joshing, but make sure to check out the links below for sources, ideas, and much more. Hope to see you in the communal shower! Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@sarahschauer Full reading list will be posted tomorrow, Dec. 10, around noon PST - it is simply too long for this caption lol. Resources: Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addition - Maia Szalavitz Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature’s Toxins - from Spices to Vices - Noah Whiteman What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice & Change - Emily Falk Give Well, Feel Great: The Science of Gift Giving and Receiving https://www.templeton.org/news/give-well-feel-great-the-science-of-gift-giving-and-receiving The Psychology Behind Perfect Gift-Giving https://swipegifts.com/blog/gift-psychology Gift Resources & Links: Scientific American’s Best Nonfiction of 2025 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientific-americans-best-nonfiction-of-2025/ The Scientific American Staff’s Favorite Books of 2025 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-scientific-american-staffs-favorite-books-of-2025/ Gifts for every kind of nerd https://www.morningbrew.com/stories/2025/10/24/gift-guide-nerd Craft Club https://www.craftclubco.com/pages/gift-guide?srsltid=AfmBOorxPL2GQZwm70XO8bEjQWQ03oM2MFEh4jgRFMYXqaJrtxXNtnbp Customer Stained Glass Piece https://www.etsy.com/market/custom_stained_glass?utm_ag=Stained%2BGlass%2BArt&utm_custom1=_k__k_&utm_custom2=2059472081&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=_b&utm_campaign=Search_US_Nonbrand_GGL_ENG_Crafts_Sewing-Fiber_All&utm_ag=&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxSAX5iuJFFvMg75ScrMOfXKQ7PpPDGaF7j5eaHyxTIMKKgPoxmBJqYaAh3lEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_6458934438_120971757530_538855900752_dsa-3500001_c_&utm_custom2=6458934438&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=6458934438&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRLFhCHwkVnRQA74zJ62in2_x&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxSAX5iuJFFvMg75ScrMOfXKQ7PpPDGaF7j5eaHyxTIMKKgPoxmBJqYaAh3lEALw_wcB Custom Vinyl Records https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Conversions&utm_campaign=SS+%7C+Search+%7C+OG&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=768833659&gbraid=0AAAAADweoo-Vv2iXIBXG3SUgRFH07pIyI&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxRghpEMmlOCIwChn0j28EWlgvZL2uxZMpes_Zs_hyng3h4vDQLMPVcaAjVFEALw_wcB Canva Magazines https://www.canva.com/magazines/ Custom Lego Figure https://www.lego.com/en-us/minifigure-factory Fibonacci Wall and Desk Clock https://www.etsy.com/listing/1576771073/fibonacci-wall-and-desk-clock-unusual?gpla=1&gao=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ps-b-home_and_living-home_decor-clocks&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwsJO4BhDoARIsADDv4vAR7GVsYIpa-YPQiJWI5QZyPYpLD_kUrw4M65pZ9FP-Edauez4tMTMaAq8QEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_21500568360_172056837584_707450243742_pla-303541440919_c__1576771073_561814194&utm_custom2=21500568360&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsJO4BhDoARIsADDv4vAR7GVsYIpa-YPQiJWI5QZyPYpLD_kUrw4M65pZ9FP-Edauez4tMTMaAq8QEALw_wcB Gifts for math lovers https://www.mathnasium.com/blog/great-gifts-math-lovers-2024 Educational Subscription Boxes for Kids https://www.cratejoy.com/collections/educational-subscription-boxes STEM Build Boxes https://coolsciencefinds.com/articles/stem-build-boxes Lighting for Lego Sets https://www.lightmybricks.com/blogs/learning-centre Science Art - Scientific Illustration Artworks and Wall Art https://cognitive-surplus.com/collections/wall-art Planet Bath bombs https://www.kiwico.com/us/store/dp/planet-bath-bombs/3205 Custom Star Map from special nights - jewelry, art, etc https://www.thenightsky.com/ They have star map lockets! Library Check Out Card Bookmark - Vintage https://www.etsy.com/listing/1081591959/library-check-out-card-bookmark-vintage Custom Book Embosser https://www.etsy.com/listing/840508076/book-embosser-personalized-custom-ex?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=ex%20libris&ref=sr_gallery-1-35&sr_prefetch=1&pro=1&frs=1&pop=1&content_source=5d442138550e8a17059979d09cb92cbabcd17809%3A840508076&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=5d442138550e8a17059979d09cb92cbabcd17809:840508076&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&utm_content=740219&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=740219&awc=6220_1764911312_c63edd94bc322514623e5c6d663ea839 Jane Eyre Embroidery Kit https://www.etsy.com/listing/1008531760/jane-eyre-embroidery-kit?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=jane+eyre+embroidery&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=uk_location_buyer&utm_content=1266099&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=1266099&awc=6091_1764911520_293ebbe0bc58c5494c72236acc01f8ad