If given an option between receiving a gift or an experience for a birthday present to make us happier, which should we choose?

According to a Cornell University 2010 study, spending money on experiences makes people happier than spending money on possessions. Their reasoning happens because when it comes to purchasing tangible goods, individuals usually doubt their decisions and worry over missed deals. Meanwhile in the case of an experience, theyre very subjective, causing them to be positive experiences and there’s no other basis of comparison so there exists less negative feelings over missed deals.

Aside from the study, the primary reason experiences can be better than gifts are because individuals adapt to the tangible gifts. Initially, we like them because theyre shiny and brand new. But as individuals and also as creatures of habit, we adjust. As the novelty of the gift goes away, so does the exhilaration. The attributes that were once novel, now end up being the benchmark. Next thing we all know, thoughts start coming up concerning the attributes that we wish it would have. Sure enough, the gift gets replaced with something shinier and brand spankingly newer.

After having an experience, however, the event remains within our brains. Generally, these experiences involve bonding with others and having an astounding time with these people. But it doesnt stop there. The feelings continue even following the experience. When remembering the event and retelling to friends and family, it allow us to simultaneously relive the happy moments. Also, the more the tale is retold, the stronger the memories become. With impressive experiences, there is always something thrilled to talk about with your friend or family member. “Hey, remember the time when we.” And the best of all? When we least expect to see it, objects, words or friends around us will bring about these happy memories and immediately light up our moods.

If youre still on the fence, one critical note to keep in mind is: You get to be the sum of your experiences, not the sum of your possessions. If you can, strive for a 21st birthday idea experience to generate long lasting happy moments!

When you are deciding to send a gift basket the most important step is deciding which gift basket company to use. Using a fly by night gift basket company can result in a gift basket that is cheap-looking, has shoddy construction and inedible or unusable contents. If you select a reputable gift basket company then you can be assured that both you and your gift recipient will most likely end up with a gift selection that you can both be happy about. There are certain characteristics that will help you in selecting a gift basket company and ending up with a gift selection that you can be proud of and one that your gift recipient will appreciate and cherish for a long time to come. Here are some factors when choosing a gift basket company-

In today’s market there are several quality oriented gift basket companies. Most of these gift basket companies offer convenient online shopping. For these companies creating fabulous gift baskets is their specialty. Their sole purpose is sourcing the world market for specialty foods, gift items, baskets and other interesting containers. When using one of these companies you can be assured that you will be ordering a quality product. At GiftBasketsdeluxe.com they pride themselves on offering their customers a wide range of gift baskets that carry gourmet offerings in unique and special containers.

Look for gift basket companies that use professional gift basket designers who are skilled at crafting creative collections of fine food and gifts into unique quality containers. These designers should also be expert at custom wrapping and decoration. It is important to look for companies who use these professional finishing touches. This makes all the difference in the look and presentation of your gift basket. Keep in mind that it should look as good on the outside as it does on the inside! When considering an online gift basket company, there are several, very important items to note. Does their site display clear photos of their creations? Are there photos of wrapped and finished gift baskets? Is there a content listing of all items that are included for each specific basket? It is important to avoid sites with fuzzy descriptions and unclear photos. These types of sites are confusing at best and immediately set the stage for serious disappointment. At GiftBasketdeluxe.com you will find a beautifully laid out site with clear pictures of each gift basket along with a content listing for each one.

When considering any online gift basket site you should also ask the following questions-
1.Is their site consumer friendly and easy to navigate?
2.Can you order online? If so, does their site offer secure online shopping for credit card payment? Do they list the name of the secure site encryption company they employ?
3.Does their website clearly state their specific policies?
4.Can you reach them by telephone? Are their staffers polite and friendly on the phone? Do they go out of their way to help you select a gift? Are they able to customize your selection quite easily? Do they establish a clear working budget with you and respect your budget?

You should also be wary of free shipping offers or large discounts which appear too good to be true. As with any retail purchase, they usually are just that! Building in hidden costs is an old retail tactic which many gift basket companies still employ today. Ask yourself how many stores or online sites have you noticed which continuously offer sales or discounts? The only way any business can do this is by inflating or hiding their actual costs. The bottom line is if it seems to good to be true or any red flags are raised keep looking!

Riley, I would love to do what you do, but I dont have the gift of evangelism.” The words came from a well-meaning Christian who was referring to my street ministry. At the time I was training people in evangelism at my church every Friday night. We were taking teams into the city and seeing fifty to one hundred people pray to receive Jesus every weekend. I told that man that he could do what I dobecause he was a believer.

The Bible says, “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]” (Mark 16:20, AMP). Amen. Signs and miracles will follow us as believers!

God has given certain gifts of service to us as believers. Take a look at them: “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip Gods people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ” (see Ephesians 4:1112, NLT).

The Bible tells us that these five-fold ministry gifts are for the “perfecting of the saints” to do the work of the ministry. Based on what we just read, the job of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers is to teach, train and equip you as a congregation member to do the work of building up the body.

But there is no such gift called “the gift of evangelism” recorded in the Bible. Its not your pastors job to fill the empty seats in your church. Its not your pastors job to reach your city.

Its yours.

Now, when Im sent to a church to do evangelism training, Im sent as an evangelist. But when Im not standing in a pulpit under the office of an evangelist, and Im simply going about my day, Im constantly listening to the Lord as to who He wants me to minister to. The Lord speaks to us constantly; all we need to do is tune in a little closer so we can hear what our assignment is for the day.

My family and I recently went to lunch at a local Italian restaurant. The place had just opened, and we wanted to try it out. The waiter seated us and handed us the menus.

I was in one of those moods in which I didnt want to even look at the menu; I just wanted to ask the waiter for a recommendation. When the waiter came to our table, my wife and daughters ordered from the menu. Then young man turned to me. “Sir,” he asked, “what would you like?”

I asked him what he would recommend. Happy to oblige me, he pointed to a particular item on the menu and said to me, “Sir, if I was on death row and this was the last meal I would ever eat, this is what I would order.” I was shocked by his comment about being on death row. But I knew at that point what the Lord was about to do. I ordered what the waiter had suggested, and it turned out to be an amazing dish.

When the waiter came back to the table for the check, I had another question for him: “If you were on death row and these were your last few moments to live, where do you think youd spend eternity?” The young man looked down and told me, “Im really not sure.” I shared with him the Scriptures from Romans from the script our ministry uses. And then I led him in a prayer to receive Jesus. During the prayer our waiter began to cry, and as he lifted his head, he said, “Thank you so much. I was just thinking about my life. I know I need God.” My family and I got ready to leave, and the waiter stopped by our table one more time. “I believe God sent you here,” he said.

God wants to use you today! Be bold and courageous! You dont need to have a five fold ministerial calling with a “gift” in order to see miracles and signs following. All you need do is listen to the little promptings you get every day from the Lordand then be obedient!