Holiday gift buying can feel a little empty, when all of those endless lists, long lines at the shopping center and dollars spent lead to a 5-minute excitement of flying wrapping paper. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} The following tips can help make gift giving more meaningful for both the giver and the receiver.

1 Know the person

    The most important thing in the exchanging of gifts is that it shows that you really know the person well, and you really care about him. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

2 Donate in their name

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Research suggests that happier people give more to others, and that giving more makes people happier. Moreover, charity-related happiness is highest when people give in a way that promotes social connection. So, try giving to the less fortunate in someone's name this holiday season.

3 Give handmade goods or hand-me-downs

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}  A study suggests that people feel that homemade items show more love, and love is what they want to express to the gift receiver.

    Family heirlooms(传家宝) may be another good gift option. A 2009 study found that when families hand down even a very depersonalized thing — money — to the generations, the symbolic value of the cash is greater than the numerical value alone.

4 Provide chances for participation

    If there's a golden rule of gifts, though, it's this: {#blank#}5{#/blank#} People who receive experiential gifts, such as concert tickets or a zoo membership, feel more connected to the gift giver than people who received material gifts.

A. Give experiences rather than objects.

B. But it doesn't have to be that way.

C. Giving gifts to friends or to charity is linked to happiness.

D. That is always beyond their expectation.

E. That means catering to another's pleasure.

F. Start listing every person you plan to give a holiday gift to.

G. The new and store-bought is not always best.

    Each of us must communicate with others in this world. Sometimes communication is easy and your behavior is in harmony with (与……协调一致) others. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}  There are times when you are completely misunderstood. Therefore, it is really necessary to follow the tips below to increase your communication skills.

    Nod your head.

    People can think far faster than you can talk. If you want someone to agree with you, nod your head slightly up and down. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    Be respectful of space.

Everyone needs some space. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Most people are not close talkers. Standing too close during conversations makes some people want to get away. Keep this in mind, especially if you've eaten garlic for lunch.

    Smile.

    Smiling will not only make you feel better, but also make whomever you are speaking with feel better. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}  This takes practice, but the benefits of learning how to eye smile can produce communication candy.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

    When you first meet someone, be sure to look directly into his eyes with a smile when shaking his hand. There is nothing worse than receiving a careless handshake from someone. Handshakes can tell you a lot about people.

A. Smile with your eyes.

B. Shake hands correctly.

C. However, this is not always right.

D. If you don't have anything good to say, say nothing.2

E. Don't stand too close to someone that you are speaking with.

F. There are many ways that we can improve our communication skills.

G. This body language will encourage whomever you are speaking with to agree with you.

    Not all children want to listen to their parents. However, parents have been around for at least two decades or so longer than their kids. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are four ways in which they might be right.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} People should want to grow and change with time in a good way. People who hang around with those who are not as smart as they are will stagnate (停滞). So try to surround yourself with people who are worth learning from.

    The more you learn, the less you really know. People tend to believe that they are right about everything before they've really learned anything about the world.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} This is largely due to contrast: people will realize how ignorant (无知) they were in the past after they've learned certain things, making them realize how much they've left to learn.

    Growing up too fast is truly bad.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} However, these are the years when you are going to be more protected from the cruel realities of adulthood. You should try to appreciate this aspect of this life stage without being concerned with pushing your development too hard.

    It is better to try and fail than fail to try. Children have to learn that failure is part of life.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, the sting (刺痛) of failure disappears gradually, and the regret about missed opportunities is going to sting far more for many adults. So don't stop going for certain goals because of a fear of failure.

A. Parents are wiser than you think.

B. It's hard enough for adults to accept.

C. Being around people who don't challenge you is a bad idea.

D. Your childhood years may not be the best years of your life.

E. They have some life experience, and it makes sense to listen to them.

F. People who bring out the best in others will reach their personal best.

G.  By the time they have, they'll realize how complicated (复杂) the world can be.

    In order to achieve big things in your life, you must be willing to think big.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}When you've busy working toward bringing your goals to life, you also feel happier in your journey. Follow these steps to make your goals a reality.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Where do you see yourself in a year, five years or ten? Do you see yourself with a family, children, a good job and a college degree in ten years? Try to think as far ahead as you can. Pay attention to every detail, and let your dreams come to life in your mind, showing you what matters most to you.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Write down everything you imagine.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} write down the most important achievements that you want to center on and the details about each. What matters most to you? Once you have a list of goals in mind, work out a plan. How will you achieve these goals? Divide your goals into achievable steps.

    Start achieving goals today. Put your plans into action today. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Move forward every day, even if you are only taking a small step at a time.

    When you can picture what your desired life is like, you can better decide the goals you need to set and achieve. All it takes are small steps toward your desired future, and you can achieve the life you want.

A. Center on what you want to achieve.

B. Close your eyes and imagine your future.

C. Take a small step toward the future each day.

D. You should dream big and try to make your goals happen.

E. It's okay to change your dream sand goals based on your needs.

F. Use as much detail as you can when writing down what you remember.

G. Think about where you want to be in the future and how you want to get there.

    When people have a choice of whom to work with, likability can sometimes matter a little bit; more than ability, said Tiziana Casciaro, an associate professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management，who researches likability in the workplace{#blank#}1{#/blank#} . These strategies can help：

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You can induce a sense of similarity with almost anybody by finding things you have in common. They may not be apparent right away, so be observant. Great salespeople do this all the time by studying potential customers for bits and pieces of their lives they can relate to.

    Like someone and they'll like you right back

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Flattery (奉承）can convey fondness, but she doesn't recommend using the fake kind, even though it may work. Casciaro said, ^u Flattery' that is completely made up is exhausting and morally blameworthy. Instead, let a praise come from a real place{#blank#}4{#/blank#} For instance, ^“I really appreciate what you did yesterday.^”

    When you give people praises, it goes a very long way towards their liking you back.

    Be a familiar presence

    Humans like things that are familiar, so just seeing you around in person makes you more likable to others. “This concept gives a whole new meaning to the idea of face time,” Casciaro said{#blank#}5{#/blank#} If not, just try to talk to people as much as possible in person during work hours, she advised You want to maximize rich interactions and cut down on the drier ones, like texts and phone calls. Be sure to be seen.

A. Ask a lot of questions.

B. See the positive in a person and express it to him.

C. People like to guess what others think about them.

D. What can you do to increase your chances of being liked?

E. Find the common points that link you with another person.

F. It's almost irresistible that we like people who seem to like us.

G.Go to after-work drinks if you have time and you would find the outing enjoyable.

    Traveling alone gives you the freedom to create your own schedule and do as you please. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For example, a travel partner can provide practical support and celebrate in the rewards of first-hand experience with unfamiliar locations and cultures. Here are several steps to find a travel partner who will improve your journey. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Traveling should be fun. When you are on a trip, you will want to do lots of activities that you enjoy. Preferably, your companion will want to do the same things as you.

    Discuss financial plans. Before you travel, you should plan a budget. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You don't want to be planning an expensive getaway when your friend is looking for budget travel.

    Have an honest conversation. If you are thinking about traveling with a companion, take some time to have an open discussion. Schedule a time to sit down and talk. Try saying, "I know we've talked about the idea of traveling through Europe together. Let's have a coffee this week and actually talk that through." {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You should also talk about your travel style.

    Find someone who is flexible. Choose a travel partner who can adjust. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Maybe it will rain on the day you planned to visit the Grand Canyon. Or you might not be able to get reservations at that French restaurant you've been dying to try.

A. Look for someone with common interests.

B. You should discuss your goals for the trip.

C. Travel with a friend who is pretty easygoing.

D. But traveling with a partner has its benefits, too.

E. Make sure that you are on the same page concerning money.

F. Try to meet your new travel partner in person before your trip.

G. No matter how carefully you plan your trip, it is likely that something will go wrong.