If you let your cat wander outside, they may come home with an unpleasant surprise, like a dead bird or rodent, in its jaws. This may be bewildering to pet owners. After all, why would your cat kill an animal without the need to eat it and then give it to you as a "gift"?

It isn't because you aren't feeding Fluffy enough. Instead, it lies in your kitty's evolutionary history. "Cats are predatory by nature," said Dr. Stephanie Liff, a veterinarian and medical director at Pure Paws Veterinary Care in New York City. Although cats were domesticated over 10,000 years ago, modern domestic cats have generally retained their instinct to catch prey. This means that they have a drive to hunt.

There are a couple of hypotheses for why cats bring their catch home, Emmanuelle Baudry, an urban ecologist at Paris-Saclay University, told Live Science. The main hypothesis is that this behavior is maternal. In the wild, mother cats go out and hunt and then bring the food back for their kittens. This not only feeds the young cats but also provides something for them to play, practice how to hunt and recognize prey. So, in the context of human pet owners, our cats may see us as "not so efficient kittens," Baudry said.

But that doesn't mean your pet is insulting you. To the contrary: "It's somewhat of a compliment," Liff told Live Science. "They feel comfortable in their home. They consider you part of their family.

Another theory, she said, is that cats may feel safer eating their prey at home rather than in the outside world. In this case, cats see your home as a place of refuge, where they can have their privacy, stash their cache, or eat their meal in peace.

Related: Why do cats have 'toe beans'?

Although some cats hunt constantly, others rarely do. Researchers have long noted this discrepancy among domestic cats. There are three main factors that seem to affect whether a cat is a frequent hunter: its personality, the surrounding environment and how owners manage their cats, Baudry said.

In a 2023 study in the journal Ecology and Evolution, Baudry and colleagues dove into the factor of personality. Their study showed that dominant, aggressive and active cats, as noted by their owners, brought back more dead animals into the home. In contrast, cats that were shy and friendly with their owners tended to bring home less prey.

The study, as well as other research, also found that how much hunting a cat does depends on both its environment and how much time it spends outside. For instance, a cat that lives in a rural area may have more space to roam and access to more prey than city cats do, so urban pet owners may get fewer dead animals brought to them than those in the countryside.

Can you stop them bringing home prey?

There are some steps you can take to reduce the number of unsightly gifts from your cat. "Just restricting what they're able to find to kill can limit the behavior," Liff said. This means keeping your cat indoors or taking down bird feeders near your home. However, Liff noted that a cat's drive to hunt needs to be satisfied in other ways, such as giving them toys they can chase and pounce on.

Reducing the number of animals pet cats catch and kill is also good for nature. Cats are one of the leading causes of declines of wildlife populations; they kill billions of birds and mammals every year, even pushing some species on islands to go extinct. Keeping cats indoors is also beneficial for their health, Liff said, since prey may carry parasites, rabies or other diseases, like avian flu. It's also helpful to get your cat vaccinated against these threats.

So the next time your cat brings you a dead animal, know that it's a natural instinct and a potential form of affection and that there are ways to prevent these unwanted presents. "If you don't want to see the behavior, you have to limit their access to do it," Liff said.

As tweens and young teens gain independence, they can take on science and engineering projects that require more expertise. These kits and sets offer challenges and new opportunities to learn. Many interact with apps or smart devices. Let's get started …

The goal of the Terraforming Mars board game is to make the Red Planet fit for human habitation. Players, representing a corporation sent to the planet to warm it, create oceans and build up the oxygen levels, compete for victory points awarded for such accomplishments as building cities or introducing animals. The goals are based on real science — for example, players must establish greenhouse gas production to warm the planet.

If your engineering-savvy student has a need for speed, the Lego Technic Hydroplane Racer kit may do the trick. Kids can build an aerodynamic, 2-in-1 model (it can rebuild into a race boat), complete with a large cockpit, propellers and engine pistons. The building process is designed to be immersive, and students can even consult an interactive 3D digital app as they work. (Recommended ages: 8 to 14 years)

(Recommended ages: 12 and up)

An original created by ThinkGeek, Hoverkraft is a game of balance, much like Jenga, but with a high-tech twist. Players must build structures on a levitating platform held up by magnetic repulsion. The platform wobbles and wiggles, adding to the challenge of arranging the 24 plastic blocks in as fanciful a structure as the players can manage before they all come tumbling down.

Kids can experience 14 different robotic modes with this solar-powered bot, including a speedster, "zombie chaser" and surfer. The robot can move on land and water, and there are two skill levels, which means more experienced builders will still be challenged. Students can learn about alternative energy sources as they build dog-bots, beetle-bots and many more. Transparent housings (showing all the nuts, bolts and gears inside) and the ability to adjust the polarity on the solar panel make this set fun and educaitonal. And the best part? The robot is powered by the sun, so you don't have to stock up on batteries. (Recommended ages: 8 to 15 years)

Peer into the microscopic world with the Omano OM117L monocular microscope and the OptixCam Summit Series SK2 1.3MP digital camera. Great for home or classroom explorations, the microscope helps kids get an eyeful of solid specimens, such as insects, coins and plants. Users can also look at prepared slides or even perform dissections at magnifications of 40x, 100x and 400x. The microscope also comes with prepared and blank slides, a microtome, dyes, test tubes, a manual and cleaning tools. (Recommended ages: 9+ years)

Check out these fun gifts for the curious kids in your life. From STEM toys that promote the inner engineer to hands-on kits to help unlock your child's creativity, here are some of Live Science's favorite gift ideas for kids. 

What's the perfect gift for your favorite science geek? Do they need a levitating moon lamp? A galaxy blanket? Maybe a bracelet of the periodic table? And don't forget that fashionable nerds can never have too many science themed socks or t-shirts.

Disney+ would be a great gift for that person who seems to have everything. This package includes Pixar adventures, Marvel epics, Star Wars sagas, National Geographic explorations and more: Sign up for Disney Plus today.

With everything you love about a traditional alarm clock, a projection clock offers your bedside table classic features with a little something extra. You'll no longer have to crane your neck to check the time because the digits will be displayed on your wall or ceiling with projected light. To add this must-have gadget to your daily routine, we've selected the best options. 

It's about time

Waking up in the morning is a lot easier when you have a clock that keeps you honest. And, there's no avoiding the time with a projection clock. Even though the clock is resting safely on the bedside table, a handy projection arm displays the time (and sometimes more) on the ceiling or wall. So, you know the truth without leaving your bed. Our first choice is the Magnasonic projection alarm clock because of its better-than-basic design. This clock has a sizable 3.6-inch display, convenient swiveling 180-degree projection arm, AM/FM radio, dual alarms, and more. It's multiple features make it a no-brainer when it comes to your sleep routine.

If you're looking for a sleeker option, the PICTEK projection alarm clock is a great choice. It has clean lines and a curved silhouette that offers interest without being over the top. It has a crisp LED display with three brightness levels and a barely-obvious projection arm that rotates 120 degrees. With the addition of a USB charging port to give your phone a boost, it's hard to say no.

If your little one (or not-so-little-one) is an aspiring paleontologist, star-gazer or chemist, one of these science-inspired toys may be right for your child. Here's a look at some of the best Cyber Monday deals for young science enthusiasts. 

As the Christmas season gets underway thoughts turn to buying gifts for the entire family. For some, companion animals are on the gift list, particularly cats and dogs who share our homes and hearts.

Whether they've been naughty or nice matters not, as the more than US$1 billion pet toy industry has everything from the whimsical to practical to keep Fluffy and Spot occupied and caretakers entertained. Many of the go-to items for cats contain catnip.

This herb, which goes by the botanical name of Nepeta cataria, induces changes in cat behavior. In my view, it's worth considering whether giving a mood-altering substance to a pet is ethical.

Kitty crack?

Catnip is sold in small packets and toys as well as in highly concentrated forms such as oils and sprays. The concentrated forms are different from its availability in nature. If a cat were to encounter catnip in the wild, it would be in the form of leafy greens growing on plants, not concentrated.

Not all cats are affected by the drug, but for some it can have a five- to 15-minute marijuana-kind of effect.

About 30 percent do not respond at all – which means 70 percent do – and it doesn't have an impact on kittens until they are about 6 months old, the time they attain sexual maturity.

When under the influence, some cats roll around, salivate, and at times, fight with other cats. It is not clear if there are any medicinal benefits. Cat owners often laugh at this behavior of their feline friends as being "high."

This video explains how catnip works.

Babes and beasts

As an animal media studies scholar, I argue laughing at a cat who has been given a drug even if they seem happy should raise questions about human power and animal autonomy.

Several philosophers have made an argument for giving the same moral consideration to animals as we would give to humans. Philosopher Jan Narveson, for example, asked in context of eating meat, whether animals suffer and if that was sufficient reason not to eat them.

One animal ethics theory denies moral standing to other animals, stating they lack characteristics that only humans are thought to possess, such as rationality, autonomy and consciousness. But another theory of moral equality argues that there are parallels in mental capabilities between humans and other animals and that moral consideration should not be limited to only our own species.

Philosopher Peter Singer, calls for "equal consideration of interests." Singer argues that we should not use our species as a measure of the worth or abilities of others, or their worthiness of ethical consideration. Other philosophers too have argued that simply because dogs or other animals don't have the same vocal structure as humans doesn't mean they should be treated with less compassion.

Furthermore, humans share many traits – empathy, ability to communicate, eating habits, sociability – with other species. For example, the capacity to love one's young, the need to have food, water and to spend time with others of one's own species are not exclusively human traits. According to philosopher Julia Tanner, "It would be arbitrary to deny animals with similar capacities a similar level of moral consideration."

So, if is unethical to drug a child and to laugh at how he or she responds, should we unthinkingly do the same with our cats?

Consider animal ethics

The discussion on whether giving catnip is ethical has been an ongoing one on social media and other websites.

On Reddit, for example, one person commented, "think of it as your cat going out for a few beers after work." To that, another reader from an Alcoholics Anonymous family responded, asked whether it was ethical to give someone a drug in an otherwise substance-free home.

I asked the nonprofit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals where they stand on this issue. Media Officer Sophia Charchuk responded:

However, my point here is not only about whether cats feel pleasure or pain. It's about taking responsibility for our actions towards our pets and giving them the same moral consideration as we do to humans.

We rarely notice how advertising, television programs, movies and photographs often present a one-dimensional view of animals using them to say something about us, but very little about them. Wolves, for example, are widely shown in advertising and film as intent solely on harming us, rather than the complex, multidimensional pack animals that they are.

This has an impact on how we view animals. I agree with scholars who have pointed out that we need to view animals as subjects of their own lives rather than objects in ours. I believe we need to reconsider the ethics of "catnipping" them.

Debra Merskin, Professor, University of Oregon

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates — and become part of the discussion — on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Live Science.

Pehaps the best site on the Internet for finding cool science-y gifts that are unique and imaginative, ThinkGeek is going all out it seems for Cyber Monday. Everything, yes everything on their site is selling for 50 percent off today when you use the code DOTCOM. Live Science gathered some of our favorite products

Ugly sweater anyone? If you want to stand out at the office party or a family holiday gathering, check out this Yoda in a Santa suit sweater or the Legend of Zelda holiday sweater, and more.

When it comes to stocking stuffers, ThinkGeek has you covered. Here are a few that we particularly liked:

• Space Capsule Tea Infuser, for 50% off the $7.99 list price.
• Star Wars Millennium Falcon Book Light, with three white LEDs in place of the C-Beam Lamps and on the front of the cockpit.
• Anglerfish mug, for the geeky marine biologist in your life. Like the real McCoy, the ceramic fish has a "golden" lure atop its head.
• Jurassic Park coasters, set of 4 ceramic coasters.
• Sonic Meeting Disrupter: You can hide the crazy noisemaker and prepare for ensuing havoc, according to ThinkGeek.
• Brain Specimen Coasters, for the neurologist or Brainiac in your life, check out the 10 glass coasters, each with a slice of brain printed on it.

For the geeky kids in your life, check out these potential gifts:

• Star Wars kites, show off your geekiness on the beach or a windy day at the park.
• Egyptology coloring book: 64 pages of hieroglyphs, pyramids, artifacts and mask (sans any tomb curses).
• Motorized solar system: planets set up in a scientifically accurate way for orbits. Also, enjoy 64 constellations on your ceiling or wall.
• Space 3-pack body suit: For the space-y new parents in your life!

And, you can't leave the shop before looking at … Space Cats … on calendars: Check them out.

Originally published on Live Science.

Help Children Learn to Build and Code

To get ahead in the 21st century, children not only need to be able to use technology but to develop it. That's why so many parents want their kids to learn how to code, and there's no better way to accomplish that task than with a programmable robot kit. There's nothing quite like the thrill of watching a physical machine act out your commands in the real world.

Based on our testing and thorough research, here’s our top robot kits picks in every price range -- and for every skill level.

Quick Buying Tips

When shopping for a robot kit for your child, consider the following:

1. Age range: While some robot kits are simple enough for kindergarteners, others target teenagers. Look at the suggested ages on the box or read our reviews.
2. Coding language: Most kids’ robots use a block-based programming language that lets kids learn basic concepts such as conditionals, loops and functions, just by dragging boxes around a screen. Look for simpler blocks (or no coding at all) for younger kids and more complex capabilities for teens.
3. Building capability: Some robots come complete, while other products give you the pieces to construct a variety of different devices. Kids will get bored less quickly with systems they can modify over time.
4. Cost: Robot kits can cost as little as $50 or as much as $500, depending on the number of sensors, motors and building blocks available. Most sit in the $150 to $300 range. Our favorite kit overall, the Lego Boost, goes for $159.

Best Overall: Lego Boost

Ages: 5 - 10

Our favorite robot kit overall, Lego Boost is so simple that even a preliterate child can use its app to learn programming basics. The kit is also extremely flexible, giving you the pieces to build half a dozen different robots, including a robotic cat, a guitar and a WALL•E-like character named Verne. And, since the kit uses Legos, you can create custom projects and add your own bricks to the mix.

All bricks aside, its engaging software is Lego Boost's best feature. Available for iOS, Android and some Amazon tablets, the colorful app walks you through the process of building your choice of robots, without using any words in the interface. As you complete each phase of a build, an animated hand shows you which blocks to use for your program and then lets you unlock more capabilities for later.

Buy the kit>>>

Best Value: UBTech Jimu BuilderBots Kit

UBTech's Jimu robot kits are among the best, thanks to their fantastic build quality, powerful mobile app and dead-simple build instructions. The company makes over half a dozen different sets, but the BuilderBot kit provides the best combination of value and versatility. For under $100, you get the choice of building two different robots, each with rolling treads for movement, a scoop for grabbing objects, an infrared sensor for avoiding objects and a colorful LED light.

Available for iOS and Android, the Jimu app has the best build instructions we've seen, with great 3D animations of each step and the ability to rotate the image and view from any angle. The durable plastic building blocks look and feel a lot like Lego Technics pieces.,so you can also use them for custom creations.

Using the software, you can manually control your robot or program extremely complex movements. Younger kids will enjoy the build process and manual control, but the very detailed programming feature is better for older children or those with more coding experience.

Buy the kit>>>

Meccano MeccaSpider

Ages: 10+

Meccano's MeccaSpider offers a lot of fun for the money. The robot is built from 291 different parts, including 10 legs, an infrared sensor and a venom shooter that spits out water. You can set the spider to wander randomly around the room, play games or enter attack mode where it shoots at anything in its way. The Mecano app, available for Android or iOS, allows you to program it using a block-based coding language.

Buy the kit>>>

littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit

Ages: 8 - 12

Combining Star Wars with robot education, the Droid Inventor Kit is a rolling barrel of fun with plenty of lessons thrown in. Kids use the parts to build and decorate a moving R2-D2-like astromech droid. The kit features motors, sensors, servos and a control hub, all of which work together to give you a very versatile creation.

Kids use a mobile app to control their Droids or send them on one of 16 different missions. Missions include navigating an obstacle course, carrying secret messages or drawing on a piece of paper.

Buy the kit>>>

Wonder Workshop Cue CleverBot

Ages: 11+

Part robotic companion and part teaching tool, the CleverBot plays games, rolls around the house and even has conversations with you (using text-based chat, not voice). Rather than using its own proprietary programming language, this cute robot employs Microsoft's MakeCode standard, which uses your choice of blocks or JavaScript. And if your kid wants to graduate to adult programming languages, having the ability to work in JavaScript is key.

Fortunately, no matter what your skill level, the CleverBot is ready to teach you. Available for Android or iOS, the app gamifies the learning process, teaching you different skills and allowing you to unlock more complicated code as you advance.

Buy the kit>>>

Dash Robotics Kamigami

Ages: 6+ (with Help) A series of fun and affordable toys, the Kamigami line consists of a series of bug-like creatures you control and program from your smartphone app. The little waddling robots are easy to control and program from a mobile app, so even young children can enjoy them.

However, the difficult process of folding and snapping the origami-like plastic pieces together will probably require an adult or a teen to help. These robots are most enjoyable when you get more than one and use them to battle your friends.

Buy the kit>>>

Tenka Labs Circuit Cubes

Ages: 5+

An affordable way to teach children about electricity while supercharging their Lego collections, Circuit Cubes are Lego-compatible blocks that feature a battery, a motor and an LED light. You set the electronic components next to the battery and each other or use the included wires to create a circuit.

The kits feature enough pieces to build projects, such as a moving car, a moving pen robot or a colorful flashlight. But the cubes are even more fun when you combine them with your existing Lego sets.

Buy the kit>>>

Meccano M.A.X.

Ages: 10+

A cute, 12-inch tall automatronic buddy, Meccano M.A.X. is full of personality. The rolling robot features a green LED face, hands that can grip objects and an infrared sensor for avoiding objects as it moves around. You can interact with M.A.X. via voice recognition, a control pad on is body or a mobile app, which you can also use to control him.

M.A.X. tells jokes, plays games and even gives science quizzes. As you do more with M.A.X., you unlock additional features.

Buy the kit>>>

Anki Cozmo

Ages: 6+

Anki Cozmo is an adorable little automaton, but don't be fooled by the bright colors or winking digital face. This robot packs some serious technology inside. Cozmo's built-in camera can recognize faces, and its scoop arm can lift a series of wireless blocks, which it uses to play with you. It will even say your name when it recognizes you. You can also remote-control the robot, and use its camera to look around the house.

When you want to stop playing, and learn how to code, you can use the Code Lab section of the app, which uses MIT's simple Scratch Jr. programming language. By dragging blocks around, even very young children can make Cozmo perform such basic tasks as driving around or dancing. Older kids can write more complex code with conditionals that perform different tasks based on what face it detects.

Buy the kit>>>

Lego Mindstorms EV3

Ages: 12+

While Lego Boost is great for younger kids, preteens and teens will appreciate the power and versatility of the company's Mindstorm EV3. The community support for Mindstorms is tremendous, because it is the most popular and well-established robot kit around.

The EV3 kit comes with the parts to build 17 different types of robot. You can also create your own custom designs. It comes with color, touch and infrared sensors, along with three different motors, all of which connect to Lego blocks.

You can control Mindstorms robots using the included remote control or an app on your mobile device. There's also programming software that runs on a PC or Mac.

Buy the kit>>>

Robolink CoDrone Pro

Ages: 12+

Great for older kids and adults who want to learn and have fun, the RoboLink CoDrone pro gives you a powerful drone and the pieces you need to create a controller for it. The controller is built with an Arduino board, the same kind that grownup hobbyists and electronic builders use. So, if you want to program the CoDrone, you use real, text-based Arduino language. Just like a pro.

For $50 less, you can get the CoDrone Lite, which comes without the controller. It uses a simple block-based language on your phone, and is appropriate for younger kids.

Buy the drone>>>

OWI Robotic ARM Edge

Ages: 10+

One of the most fun things you can do with a robot is make it pick things up. OWI's kit builds an articulating arm with five different motors to control its angle and grip. After the 3-to-5-hour build, you'll be able to move the robot using a wired controller with different joysticks for each joint.

Buy the arm>>>

UBTech Jimu Inventor Kit

Ages: 10+

The big kahuna of UBTech's half-dozen Jimu sets, the Inventor Kit features the parts to build six different robotic animals, including an elephant, a giraffe and a rhino. If you like the BuilderBot but want something even more extensive and expensive, this kit is for you.

Buy the kit>>>

Most people have gotten bad gifts: that fruitcake you didn't ask for or that tie you'll never wear.

Now, a group of marketing researchers has investigated exactly what makes a bad gift and the reasons people buy such presents for their loved ones in the first place.

The researchers suggested that one reason for bad gifts is that the giver and the recipient focus on different things. The giver focuses on the moment of the exchange, wanting to surprise or impress the recipient, while the recipient focuses on the long-term usefulness or practically of the gift. [The Best Health and Fitness Gifts 2016]

"What we found was that the giver wants to 'wow' the recipient and give a gift that can be enjoyed immediately, in the moment, while the recipient is more interested in a gift that provides value over time," study researcher Jeff Galak, an assistant professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, said in a statement. "We are seeing a mismatch between the thought processes and motivations of gift givers and recipients."

For example, there are times when a vacuum cleaner, which doesn't typically have a "wow" factor, would actually be a really good gift, because it would be used for a long time, Galak said.

In a new paper, the researchers reviewed studies on gift-giving errors, looking for commonalities among them. The analysis showed that this tendency to focus on the moment of exchange versus the long-term usefulness of the gift explained many of the errors. Some of the mistakes included:

• Giving unrequested gifts in an attempt to surprise the recipient, when in fact, the recipient would prefer a not-surprising gift that he or she had requested in a wish list
• Focusing on tangible gifts that can be used immediately, when a recipient might really prefer an experiential gift, like theater tickets, that would result in more enjoyment later on
• Choosing a socially responsible gift, like a donation to a charity in the recipient's name in the belief that the recipient will feel a "warm glow" from the donation, when in reality, the individual would prefer gifts he or she can use
• Giving expensive gifts in an attempt to show thoughtfulness when, in fact, the price of a gift does not necessarily predict how much the recipient will use or enjoy the present

To choose better gifts, the researchers advised that people try to empathize with the gift recipient and think about gifts the individual would find useful over the long term, or during ownership of the gift. [5 Scientifically Proven Ways to Make Your Gifts Meaningful]

"We exchange gifts with the people we care about, in part, in an effort to make them happy and strengthen our relationships with them," Galak said. "By considering how valuable gifts might be over the course of the recipient's ownership of them, rather than how much of a smile it might put on recipients' faces when they are opened, we can meet these goals and provide useful, well-received gifts."

Original article on Live Science.

Gifts for health

A brand-new year is a new opportunity to commit (or recommit) to fitness and health. You may want to jump-start that process for friends and family with one of the myriad fitness trackers and gadgets on the market, but which one should you choose?

We've combed through the reviews and have even done some of our own testing to pick out great gift options for everyone from swimmers and runners to the sleep-deprived and sunburned. These devices will get your loved ones moving despite dreary Januaries and Februaries still ahead.

Charge 2 fitness tracker

Picking a fitness tracker is a challenge, given the number and variety of these exercise-encouraging devices on the market. But don't fret: We've done some of the work for you. We recommend the Charge 2, from Fitbit. This tracker is an update to Fitbit's popular fitness tracker, the Charge, but the Charge 2 has a larger display screen, better activity-tracking options and interchangeable wristbands. 

The device tracks the number of steps you take, the floors you climb and the calories you burn every day. It also tracks how much sleep you get automatically, so there's no need to put the tracker into Sleep Mode to gather data on your nightly shut-eye. The screen of the Charge 2 is not always on, but the device has a "lift to look" feature, which means it turns on when you raise and turn your wrist to look at the screen.

The Charge 2 includes a continuous heart-rate monitor, which tracks your heart rate all day long, and conveniently, the tracker syncs with your phone to give you notifications about incoming calls, texts and calendar events right on your wrist.

Price: $149.95

AVOIN colorlife 27oz. Sport Tritan Fruit Infuser Water Bottle

Fruit-flavored water is always on tap with this water bottle. The Sport Tritan lets you load up the infuser in the center of the water bottle with the fruit of your choice, and then enjoy flavorful water whenever you hydrate. The infuser can also be used to hold tea bags, or removed completely, so the bottle can be used for just water. The bottle is BPA-free, fits into most cup holders and is top-rack dishwasher safe.

Price: $11.99 - $15.00

Suunto Core Multifunction Watch

Fitness trackers may not do the trick for those who like to go off the beaten path. For the climber, mountaineer or hiker on your list, check out the Suunto Core Multifunction Watch instead. This watch features an altimeter, barometer and compass for navigation and a storm alarm to alert the wearer to a rapid drop in barometric pressure (which can mean bad weather is on the way).

The watch also tracks sunrises and sunsets to help keep track of the remaining daylight, and it is water-resistant to 30 meters (about 100 feet).

Price: $200.00-$300.00

Monkey Light LEDs

These Monkey Light LEDs turn your bike wheels into an eye-catching, rolling light show. At speeds of 10 mph to 40 mph (15 to 65 km/h), these LEDs can create 42 different circular patterns, from stars and swirls to hearts and puppy paw prints. At slower speeds, the lights still turn on, but they don't cover the entire wheel.

The lights attach to your wheels with zip ties, and are powered by a wheel-hub-mounted battery. Their total weight is 2.1 ounces (60 grams). The show is visible from all angles — making it a cool safety feature for kids and bike commuters alike.

Price: $56.99

Audible Rush speakers

Wearing headphones while cycling is a safety risk, but music can make a long ride fly by. These handlebar-mounted speakers from Audible Rush offer a good solution. A smartphone fits inside, although the Samsung Galaxy S5 and similarly large models won't fit; for those, a separate clamp to hold the phone on the bike may be needed.

At only 2.3 inches (5.8 centimeters) thick and 7.3 ounces (207 grams), this speaker won't weigh cyclists down. It comes with a yearlong warranty and customer service that seem to keep reviewers happy.

Price: $19.95

Magic Moves Electronic Wand

The light-up Magic Moves Electronic Wand will delight kids and their parents alike — because it will help get toddlers moving even when snowy weather confines them indoors. The wand plays a variety of music and 90 recorded commands, such as "Stomp like an elephant" and "Let's dance."

Toys "R" Us lists this toy as a top pick on its "Toys for Differently Abled Kids" list because it boosts listening skills with its auditory commands.

Price: $13.19 - $22.99

Shine 2 fitness tracker

The slim and fashionable Shine 2 fitness tracker from Misfit automatically tracks many of the same basic metrics that other trackers do — including your steps taken, calories burned and distance traveled — but this tracker is water resistant, so you can take it swimming. The tracker also wins points for being one of the lighter and thinner options among fitness trackers.

The Shine 2 also automatically detects when you've fallen asleep, which is an advance over the original Shine, which had to be put into sleep mode to track sleep. The tracker also syncs with your phone to alert you by vibrating or lighting up when you're getting a call or a text (although the tracker does not indicate who the caller or sender is). You can even control Misfit's smart- home devices from your shine. For example, you can play music or control your lights if you've installed Misfit's Bolt light bulb. 

Price: $99.99

Jabra Sport Pulse

Music and heart-rate monitoring come in a single package with the Jabra Sport Pulse, a set of wireless earbuds that use the pulse in your inner ear to track your heart rate during exercise.

The earbuds are sweat- and water-resistant. They connect to Jabra's Sport Life app, which provides feedback and audio coaching to keep users in their target zone. The earbuds and app also record distance traveled, calories burned and speed. If the runner on your list has her own preferred fitness app, the Jabra Sport Pulse earbuds can sync to independent apps, too.

Price: $99.99

Fitlosophy Fitbook: Fitness and Nutrition Journal

Sure, there are apps for that. But some may want a no-frills, old-fashioned, paper-and-pencil method of tracking diet and exercise habits. This 5.5-inch square notebook includes pages for planning your goals for the week and for logging your food intake, nutrients, water and sleep. There are also daily workout pages to track your strength training, cardio, classes and flexibility. Plus, the book aims to provide motivation: There's a highlighted "reward" spot where you can write down the prize you plan to give yourself for meeting your goals for the week.  

Price: $14.97 - $22.95

June UV detector

Sunscreen isn't the only way to keep skin safe. June, a jewel-like UV detector, records daily sun exposure and gives real-time UV index data. The device then gives customized alerts when a user's UV exposure reaches damaging levels based on the user's skin type.

The sensor comes in platinum, gold and gunmetal colors, and can be worn on a leather wrist strap when you want to be stylish, or on a silicon strap for exercise or outdoor activities.

Price : $144.95 - $149.99

S+ sleep monitor

Need something for an insomniac's Christmas stocking? A device called S+ is a small bedside module that has both a motion sensor to track movement and an audio sensor to track breathing. Though likely not as accurate as a wearable sleep tracker, S+ doesn't have to go to bed with you in order to work. The device records information about light levels, temperature and noise, and gives feedback on ways that you can improve your sleep environment.

S+ also works as a note-taking tool, helping users to get those racing bedtime thoughts out of their heads by letting them record notes via voice or text. In the morning, S+ will attempt to wake you during your lightest phase of sleep, so you wake up feeling more ready and refreshed.

Price: $50.00 - $85.30

Outdoor gifts

Whether it's scaling an icy cliff or racing down a rocky mountain pass, adventurers need a lot of gear to support their epic pastimes. But what do you get for the adventure junkie who seems to have everything? We rounded up the must-have items, many of which cost less than $30, for that special daredevil in your life.

Minipresso

Crawling out of your tent after a chilly night bundled up in a mummy bag, coffee drinkers have one thing on their mind: where do I get a rich cup of joe? Minipresso to the rescue. The compact, manual espresso maker, from Wacaco, is just 6.9 inches long and weighs under a pound (14.4 ounces). Coolthings.com calls the maker "the most outdoor-friendly" portable espresso maker, rating it above Handpresso, GSI Outdoors Mini Espresso Maker and the Presso. Just add hot water and ground coffee beans and then pump with your hand, and voila, a shot of espresso.

Buckshot 2.0 Bike Speaker

This speaker satisfies the coolness and safety factors: Wearing headphones while cycling on a busy road or even in an isolated park can prevent you from being alert to your surroundings. With the Buckshot 2.0 Portable Bluetooth Speaker by Outdoor Tech, cyclists can use their voice to change the music and volume and even to answer their cellphone. The waterproof and shockproof, wireless speaker can be mounted to a bike's handlebars; and with a 24-hour battery life, you won't need to turn off even during a marathon ride. The speaker has a 100-foot Bluetooth range, according to Outdoor Tech.

Mini Bug Out Box

Whether your outdoor enthusiast needs to survive a zombie invasion or just a boo-boo, this survival kit, called the Mini Bug Out Box, will do the trick. The 43-piece kit, created by 12 Survivors, includes a whistle and a signal mirror to alert search-and-rescue teams of your location (or to call to fleshy humans without notifying the brain-eating dead, a flint rod to start a fire in a snap, a paracord and other supplies for shelter-building and a fishing kit.

BUY the Mini Bug Out Box at 12 Survivors >>>

Hydra Smartbottle

This 20-ounce, BPA-free water bottle does more than hold a refreshing drink — It even plays music! The long list of features makes this the gift that keeps on giving. For gadget lovers and safety-keen outdoors enthusiasts alike, the Hydra SmartBottle includes a 5W Bluetooth® 2.1 speaker, a micro-USB input, FM radio, a microphone that lets you turn the bottle into a hands-free speakerphone, white LED lantern and a red LED emergency flashing light, and more. The bottle has a compartment for hiding keys and cash as well as a carabiner with a bottle opener. The smart water bottle comes in four colors: black, blue, gray and orange.

Leatherman Style CS multitool

Whether it's for cutting food or hacking her way to survival, every good outdoorswoman needs a solid knife. This multitool includes a knife, scissors, a nail file and tweezers, as well as Phillips and flathead screwdrivers. The tool also provides a carabiner-type hook to fasten onto clothes or backpacks, so it doesn't get lost.

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Glow-in-the-Dark S'mores Sticks

For those who would rather not settle for traditional camping gear, or you just want to bring some fun to the campfire, this product may be just the thing. Made by Charcoal Companion, the s'mores stick comes in two styles (fork or skewer) and has a plastic glow-in-the-dark handle so you'll never lose a sturdy s'mores poker again. Plus, what will your friends think when you whip out your very own lightsaber-like marshmallow holder? The stick telescopes out to 32 inches (81 centimeters) to keep you at a comfy distance from the flames. Each order comes with two glow-in-the-dark s'mores sticks. ThinkGeek applauds the clever product, calling it a great way for those glampers out there — Glamping (from "glamorous" and "camping") is a new term for the idea of bringing creature comforts and tech to camping.

Luci inflatable lantern

The Luci inflatable solar lantern is waterproof, packs to a compact size and can be recharged throughout the day to provide light for atmospheric nighttime camping. The lanterns can change to one of seven different hues, including bright white for reading. The elegant design and multitude of hues mean the lanterns aren't just useful for the wilderness: They would make great mood lighting at a dinner party as well.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

For those heading out into the wild for a long time, the LifeStraw personal water filter can save you the trouble of hiking in with a huge cache of water on your back. The tiny, lightweight device filters out 99.9999 percent of all bacteria and 99.9 percent of all protozoans, such as Giardia lamblia in potentially contaminated water. The portable device can filter up to 264 gallons (1,000 liters) of water without adding iodine, chlorine or other purifiers that can leave an unpleasant aftertaste. And let's hope it never comes to it, but in a real bind, the LifeStraw can allow people to filter their own urine when they're stranded without a water supply.

Fozzils Solo Pack

The Fozzils folding bowls and cups provide a lightweight, ultracheap option for dining out in the wilderness. Let's face it: Eating out of actual dishes, rather than the pot you cooked in or a plastic bag, lends a veneer of civilization and comfort to roughing it. Luckily, these slim, plastic bowls won't add pounds to someone's pack, as the complete set weighs just 4 ounces (0.1 kilograms). The unfolded bowls also lie flat for easy packing.

GoPro Hero (and attachments)

The GoPro Hero provides a way for adrenaline junkies to immortalize their escapades, from hiking up to the mouth of a bubbling pit of lava to scuba diving into the deepest underwater sinkhole or adventure-biking along the rocky cliffs of the Isle of Skye. The GoPro Hero captures high-definition video and works in water up to depths of 131 feet (40 meters). The starter kit includes a head mount and extra disc drive. Those who want to share photos or videos via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth can opt for the pricier GoPro Hero+.

Even those who already have a GoPro can use additional accessories. Selfie sticks make you the star of your own adventure, and extra battery life is a must for those hoping to capture every moment of their all-day escapes.

Patagonia R1 Hoody

The Patagonia R1 Hoody has a cult following amongst avid outdoorsmen. That's because it's the "Goldilocks" layer for outdoor adventures: a solid midlayer that's not too hot and not too cold. The unique engineered fiber is breathable and stretchable, and packs down to almost nothing. It has a front zipper for venting when it gets too hot, thumbholes in the sleeves for when it gets chilly and a slim zipper-pocket for holding essentials. At just 12.85 ounces (364 grams), the shirt is lightweight. The hoody is available for men and women in a variety of colors.

Smartwool outdoor Light Pattern midcrew socks

Keeping your toes toasty can go a long way toward making you feel comfortable when snowshoeing, skijoring or downhill skiing. These smart wool socks are ultrawarm, just like ordinary wool, but unlike the scratchy wool socks that grandma wore, these are not itchy at all. Plus, they're lightweight and machine-washable. They also have specialized ventilation zones that wick moisture away and regulate temperature in just the right spots. For the fashion-conscious, the socks come in multiple colors.

Hot Hands hand warmers

Hand warmers are perfect for those who want to actually feel their fingers while skiing, snowshoeing or camping in the mountains. These hand warmers release heat via a chemical reaction as soon as you open the package and expose them to air. They'll keep hands or toes toasty for up to 10 hours. They're also environmentally safe, meaning you can toss them in the trash when they're all used up. And their low price makes them a simple stocking stuffer for the adventure-seekers in your life.P

Amphipod Xinglet vest

For those who fancy a quick jog or bike in pitch darkness, this reflective running or biking vest will make someone visible for oncoming drivers from all angles. The vest is brighter than other reflective clothing, and snaps on and off easily. It's also lightweight, meaning it won't make people any sweatier than their ultramarathon training otherwise would.

Osprey Poco Plus child carrier

Getting outdoors can be challenging with little ones in tow, but the Osprey Poco Plus child carrier keeps both parent and tot comfortable on long hikes. The backpack provides adjustable harnesses that make it a good fit for both tall and short people, a hydration sleeve for water and a built-in sunshade so little ones can nap. The backpack has 0.875 square feet (23 L) of storage space for essential gear. The backpack also comes with a spot for quickly attaching a separate day pack, which older tots can carry when they decide to walk. The carrier can lug kids who weigh up to 48.5 lbs. (22 kg), so even 5-year-olds can take breaks in the carrier if they're feeling tired. (Though you will really, really want a kid that heavy to walk!)

For curious kids

As tweens and young teens gain independence, they can take on science and engineering projects that require more expertise. These kits and sets offer challenges and new opportunities to learn. Many interact with apps or smart devices. Let's get started …

Lightsaber Crystal Growing Lab

A Star Wars tie-in brings science to young Jedis-to-be. The Star Wars Lightsaber Crystal Growing Lab includes a packet of liquid starter to grow salt crystals in a plastic tank. After the crystals form (about a week), the tank becomes a display case with lights to bathe the creations in blue or red.

(Recommended ages: 8 and up)

Cost: $19.99

Terraforming Mars

The goal of the Terraforming Mars board game is to make the Red Planet fit for human habitation. Players, representing a corporation sent to the planet to warm it, create oceans and build up the oxygen levels, compete for victory points awarded for such accomplishments as building cities or introducing animals. The goals are based on real science — for example, players must establish greenhouse gas production to warm the planet.

(Recommended ages: 12 and up)

Cost: $69.99

Carnivorous Creatures Light Cube

The budding botanist on your list can grow their own flycatchers with the Carnivorous Creatures Light Cube. This terrarium (about 9 inches long and 9 inches high) comes with seeds to grow carnivorous Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) and sundews (Drosera intermedia, Drosera filiformis, and Drosera rotundifolia). Red and blue micro-LED lights nurture the plants' growth in dim rooms.

(Recommended ages: 14 and up)

Price: $29.99

Lego Technic: Hydroplane Racer

If your engineering-savvy student has a need for speed, the Lego Technic Hydroplane Racer kit may do the trick. Kids can build an aerodynamic, 2-in-1 model (it can rebuild into a race boat), complete with a large cockpit, propellers and engine pistons. The building process is designed to be immersive, and students can even consult an interactive 3D digital app as they work. (Recommended ages: 8 to 14 years)

Price: $17.99

DIY Cell Phone Kit

Kid been begging you for the latest iPhone? Tell them to hack their own. The RePhone DIY Cell Phone Kit will teach young teens about the technology behind their beloved mobile devices. It's an open-source modular phone kit that comes with a core module, an audio module, a touchscreen, battery and two paper cases. All it takes is a SIM card to turn this kit into a real working phone. There's no soldering required, making this a good project for even young geeks.

(Recommended ages: 12 and up)

Buy at ThinkGeek for $58.99

Levitating Construction Challenge

An original created by ThinkGeek, Hoverkraft is a game of balance, much like Jenga, but with a high-tech twist. Players must build structures on a levitating platform held up by magnetic repulsion. The platform wobbles and wiggles, adding to the challenge of arranging the 24 plastic blocks in as fanciful a structure as the players can manage before they all come tumbling down.

(Recommended ages: 8 and up)

Price: $29.99

OWI: 14-in-1 Solar Robot

Kids can experience 14 different robotic modes with this solar-powered bot, including a speedster, "zombie chaser" and surfer. The robot can move on land and water, and there are two skill levels, which means more experienced builders will still be challenged. Students can learn about alternative energy sources as they build dog-bots, beetle-bots and many more. Transparent housings (showing all the nuts, bolts and gears inside) and the ability to adjust the polarity on the solar panel make this set fun and educaitonal. And the best part? The robot is powered by the sun, so you don't have to stock up on batteries. (Recommended ages: 8 to 15 years)

Price: $24.99

Leonardo Da Vinci Wooden Invention Kits

Maybe the maker on your list is less enamored with computers and more with history. In that case, the Leonardo Da Vinci Wooden Invention Trebuchet Kit may be just the ticket. This mini-medieval weapon comes ready to build, with pre-cut, pre-drilled pieces. Once assembled, it can throw clay balls up to 20 feet (6 meters). Kids will learn about potential energy, simple machines, rotational acceleration and other basic physics concepts.

(Recommended ages: 8 and up)

Cost: $24.99

Compound Microscope

Peer into the microscopic world with the Omano OM117L monocular microscope and the OptixCam Summit Series SK2 1.3MP digital camera. Great for home or classroom explorations, the microscope helps kids get an eyeful of solid specimens, such as insects, coins and plants. Users can also look at prepared slides or even perform dissections at magnifications of 40x, 100x and 400x. The microscope also comes with prepared and blank slides, a microtome, dyes, test tubes, a manual and cleaning tools. (Recommended ages: 9+ years)

Price: $89.95

MEL Chemistry

Got an insatiable scientist on your hands? Then try MEL Chemistry, a next-generation series of chemistry experiments that arrive in the mail every month. At the start of each month, subscribers will receive three new chemistry sets with intriguing experiments, such as how to make a burning sugar snake. These hands-on challenges come with accompanying lessons that include learning with a smart-device application (compatible with iPads, iPhones and Android smartphones or tablets). MEL Chemistry also uses Google Cardboard, 3D graphics, macro photo and video as a way to turn each investigation into a game. (Recommended ages 12+ years)

Price: A $73.80 subscription gets you the starter kit and two experiments. Monthly payment for three experiment sets is $35.85; it includes shipping. Buy now on MEL Science's website.

For babies

In the first year of a baby's life, the brain doubles in size, according to a 2007 study. The hippocampus, a seahorse-shaped structure deep in the brain that is used in memory processing, reaches its adult size by 10 months of age. These anatomical changes go hand-in-hand with rapid development:  Motor skills, language, and even social understanding all advance by leaps and bounds.  

Toddlerhood brings an even more dramatic transformation, as kids learn to walk and talk and solve problems. These science-y toys will put all that developing brainpower to good use.

Beginner Shape 3-Piece Puzzle - Bugs

Introduce your baby to the wonders of nature early with this three-piece wooden puzzle. The toy will also introduce your child to shapes (triangle, circle and rectangle), and matching pictures underneath will help your baby recognize where each piece should go. The plywood pieces are made with a non-toxic, water-based finish, according to P'kolino. (Recommended ages: 6+ months)

Price: $11.99

A Dinoztory Book

Give your baby a hands-on experience with this adorable soft book about dinosaurs. The four pages include colorful and tactile fabrics to stimulate your baby's senses. The book is held together with a velcro-like clasp, and it's easy to clean with lukewarm water and soap. (Recommended ages: 6+ months)

Price: $17.50

Newborn-to-Toddler Play Gym

This Fisher-Price activity center features lights, sounds and music to stimulate your baby's senses and help your bundle of joy develop fine motor skills, balance and coordination. The convertible play gym is designed to "grow" with your child, meaning babies can start by lying on the machine-washable padded mat, before graduating to sitting down and playing, and finally standing at the activity center. (Recommended ages: Birth and up)

Price: $51.98

Busy Learners Activity Cube

This interactive toy includes 14 manipulative features that teach babies to twist, spin and press buttons. The five sides of activities will stimulate babies' senses and encourage them to learn while having fun. (Recommended ages: 6 months to 3 years)

Price: $19.29

Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket

This talking picnic set by LeapFrog is designed to help kids learn about shapes, colors and manners with fun learning songs and sound effects. Toddlers can also build their motor skills with sorting, matching and stacking activities. The set includes six food items, two plates, two forks, two cups, one blanket and one basket that all help to stimulate your little learner's imagination. (Recommended ages: 6 months to 3 years)

Price: $18.74

My First Rocket, Lego Style

Lego is known for its colorful brick construction sets, but even little kids can get in on the fun with the company's Duplo line of products. If you're keen to stoke your tot's interest in science, then the Lego Duplo My First Rocket set may be the perfect gift. Kids can build and create a colorful rocket and planet with Lego Duplo's chunky bricks that are specialy designed for little hands. The fun set encourages kids to use their imagination, but children will also learn counting skills with numbered bricks and corresponding pieces showing one moon, two planets and three stars. (Recommended ages: 1.5 to 5 years)

Price: $9.99

Kids First Amusement Park Engineer

Introduce your preschooler to the principles of engineering with this 97-piece science kit. Kids can follow a storybook adventure and build amusement park rides (including a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, a roller coaster and a log flume ride) along the way. The colorful plastic building pieces were specially designed for little hands, and the kit helps children develop fine motors skills, visual-spatial skills and reasoning techniques. Kids will also learn basic math, science and physics lessons as they build their amusement parks. (Recommended ages: 3+ years)

Price: $51.98

My First Microscope

There's no better way to get kids excited about science than with hands-on activities. The GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope can help preschoolers explore hidden worlds at a range of magnifications, from 2.5x to 8x. The two large eyepieces and chunky focusing knob are specially designed for little learners, and the large, fixed sample tray can hold flat and 3D objects. (Recommended ages: 3+ years)

Price: $16.49

Playful Dino

Gift the toddler on your list a playset with a paleontological twist. The Playful Dino features bead mazes, spinning gears, swirly eyes and other fiddly bits that will keep the 1-and-up set engrossed. Toddlers will develop fine-motor skills and learn about cause-and-effect as they manipulate the playset's wooden features — and exhausted parents can celebrate the lack of loud noises or strobe-light effects.

(Recommended age: 1 and up)

Price: $68

BUY Playful Dino at Manhattan Toy Co.

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Count Along Cash Register

Subtly encourage a love of math and counting with LeapFrog's Count Along Cash Register. Kids will love mimicking the grown-ups in their lives by "checking out" colorful plastic food items as the cash register sings and counts. The register prompts kids to insert the correct number of coins into its slot and counts the groceries as kids scan them.

(Recommended age: 2 and up)

Price: $26.25

When figuring out what presents to get your loved ones this holiday season, keep in mind that more isn't always better. A new study shows that, when giving an expensive present, adding on a cheaper stocking stuffer as an extra gift actually diminishes the perceived value of the overall package in the recipient's eyes.

Say you have the choice of giving your significant other a luxury cashmere sweater, or the sweater and a $10 gift card. Although it may seem that adding the smaller gift and therefore giving them more presents is the way to go, researchers found that giving only the sweater would be the better option.

That's because the gift recipient is likely to perceive the gift of just the expensive item alone as more generous than the combination of the costly item and the cheaper item, according to the researchers, who conducted several experiments.

Presenter's paradox

In one experiment, 54 consumers from an online marketing research panel were divided into groups of "presenters" or "customers." Presenters were asked to put together an iPod-product package for customers. Subjects had the choice of creating a package of either an iPod Touch with a cover or an iPod Touch, cover and one free music download.

The participants were instructed to put together a package that would seem the most valuable to customers. Study participants in the customer group were shown both the packages and asked to estimate how much they would be willing to pay for each product bundle.

Although 92 percent of the presenters chose to include one music download in the product bundle, the customer group indicated they were willing to pay substantially more for the smaller package.

Dubbed the "presenter's paradox," the seemingly counterintuitive reaction of favoring one expensive item over that same item combined with a cheaper object results from the way consumers evaluate item clusters, according to the researchers. Rather than seeing the cheaper item as an added bonus, the consumers "make judgments that result in an averaging pattern," the researchers wrote in the study.

By averaging the value of both the expensive and the cheaper item, the overall value of the package is lessened, in effect diluting the perceived worth of the highly favorable item.

More isn't always better

In another experiment for the study, researchers split 227 students at the University of Michigan and Princeton University into "presenters" and "evaluators." Presenters were asked to pretend they were hotel owners getting ready to list their hotel on Hotels.com. In the advertisement, they had to choose whether only to reveal the hotel pool's 5-star rating from an outside agency, or the pool rating plus information about the hotel's three-star restaurant.

The evaluators, who were asked to pretend they were planning a vacation, were either shown a Hotels.com ad featuring only the 5-star pool or the 5-star pool and the 3-star restaurant.

As the researchers expected, the evaluators who saw the ad featuring both the pool and the restaurant were willing to pay significantly less per night than those who saw the advertisement featuring the 5-star pool only. Even so, 72 percent of the presenters had chosen to include both the 5-star pool and 3-star restaurant in their ad.  

"Fortunately, there is a simple remedy: Take the perspective of the evaluator and ask yourself how the bundle will appear to someone who will average across its components," Weaver said. "Doing so will alert you to the fact that others will not always share your sense that more is better."

The study will be published in the October 2012 issue of the Journal of Consumer Research.

You can follow LiveScience writer Remy Melina on Twitter @remymelina. Follow LiveScience for the latest in science news and discoveries on Twitter @livescience  and on Facebook.

Thank you so much for reading this column. Really, I can’t thank you enough. I am so grateful, and the good news is that I don’t feel like I have to repay your kindness at all. I feel no obligation to, say, read something of yours.      Instead, I can just enjoy your gift and feel happy.      My happy gratitude when receiving a gift is, apparently, a typical response for a woman. Psychologist Todd Kashdan, director of the Laboratory for the Study of Social Anxiety, Character Strengths, and Related Phenomena at George Mason University, has been studying the positive side of human psychology for the past nine years. In his soon-to-be-published book, "Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life" (William Morrow), he says that the key to happiness is in combining three elements — meaningful relationships, living in the present, and gratitude. In his most recent series of studies, Kashdan was interested in gratitude and looked at how people react when given a gift.      Women, it seems, accept a present and really enjoy it, while men unwrap a gift and immediately feel a sense of obligation to the giver. According to Kashdan, a gift is a burden to men and for women a present is simply a nice thing to receive.      But men are not out of line in seeing gifts as obligations. Around the world, gift giving is full of meaning and duty. For example, the !Kung San of Botswana have a formalized system of gift exchange called hxaro in which gifts are exchanged to cement relationships. People are considered rich not when they stockpile goods, but when they give and receive. More critically, the system is far reaching; it goes beyond immediate family and connects people from different geographic regions. At that level, hxaro can work as a social entree to a new resource area when times are bad.        Traditionally, Native American tribes of the Northwest Coast gave huge parties in which they gave away expensive gifts to raise their status in the community. After European contact, these "potlatches" got out of hand and party givers were burning piles of goods just to show that they could. Once again, it was not the gift, but the gesture of giving that gave the event meaning, even if no one got anything.      We do the same at Christmas as we make a list and decide who deserves what, and we expect stuff in exchange. Birthdays are much less stressful because the gifts are going one way, but people still kept mental notes of what they got from whom, and check it against their own generosity.      It may be that women take all this gift exchange much less seriously than men, or perhaps they are just better at playing the game so that the obligation is no big thing. For instance, I can enjoy that you are reading this column because, hey, I don’t know you and therefore don't feel I will be held accountable in the future for reciprocating. And even if I did, I would be happy to go shopping and get you something.      And maybe that's the gender key to gratitude. Maybe women take more pleasure in receiving gifts because they take more pleasure in giving them.   

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Meredith F. Small is an anthropologist at Cornell University. She is also the author of "Our Babies, Ourselves; How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent" (link) and "The Culture of Our Discontent; Beyond the Medical Model of Mental Illness" (link). Her Human Nature column appears each Friday on LiveScience.

Sex in advertising? Women aren't buying it, for the most part.

In fact, past research has shown that the average woman responds negatively to ads with explicit or gratuitous sexual content. But now, it also looks like women are less offended by these ads if sexual imagery is viewed in the context of a committed relationship.

The study, published this month in Journal of Consumer Research, finds that women respond more favorably to sexual ads when the item in the ad is described as a gift from a man to a woman. In addition, women have high positive responses to sexual ads that depict a committed and loving man — but not for those depicting a committed and loving woman.

The reason, according to the researchers: sexual economics theory, which states that women have more at risk than men when deciding to have sex. Therefore, women have more sexual negotiating power and can hold out until their conditions — both financial and emotional — are met.

The financial condition was explored in the first part of the study. Researchers showed participants two versions of a wristwatch ad that was kind of sexy; in the second version, a red ribbon was tied around the watch, and the following sentence was included: "This watch is positioned as a gift from a man to the special woman in his life." (As a control, participants also viewed non-sexual ads with the same imagery and messaging.)

When viewing the sexual ads, women responded more favorably to the ad with the gift. However, men preferred the sexual ad without the gift. "Despite their steadfast support for sex-based advertising, we did find that men reacted negatively to sexually explicit ads when the ads strongly reminded men that they may, at times, devote monetary resources in pursuit of sexual contact," the authors wrote.

The remainder of the study examined the emotional conditions of sexual economics theory. In various experiments, participants viewed sexual, non-gift ads after being presented with different commitment scenarios. In one, the man was the more committed partner; in another, that role fell to the woman. In the last scenario, both partners were described as equally committed.

The results found that women reacted most positively to the ads when the men were portrayed as the committed partner.

"We took a cultural approach, which comes more from economics than evolutionary psychology or sociology," says Kathleen D. Vohs, a University of Minnesota professor and an author of the study. Men weren't affected in any direction — as long as there was sex in the ad, they reacted positively.

So advertisers, take note: Sex sells. But for women, commitment has real value.

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