UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The holiday season sends people of all ages in search of unique and creative gifts for their loved ones. But the obligation of gift-giving is also an opportunity to bring family members of different generations closer together, says a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Social scientists note that, even under the same roof, family members are spending less time together," says Matthew Kaplan, associate professor of intergenerational programs and aging in Penn State's department of agricultural and extension education. "This raises concerns about family cohesion, particularly between the young and old. At highest risk are young people in dire need of guidance and nurturing. For elders, undesired social isolation often is associated with physical and psychological stress and decline."

Kaplan says intergenerational-studies literature provides many useful clues for selecting gifts that can lead to quality time spent between older and younger family members or friends. One principle emphasizes using activities common to people of all ages, such as eating, talking, singing, dancing and craftsmaking. Studies also suggest staging activities that accentuate shared membership in family and community. "If we view a gift item as an opportunity to enter into the rhymes and rhythms of a loved one's life experiences, the quest for the perfect gift becomes a search for ways to share time and build relationships," he says. "The gift is seen less as a product and more as a vehicle for bringing people together across geographical and generational distances."

Kaplan suggests some gifts that older adults and young people can give each other, as well as gifts they can develop together for others.

"Older adults can give youngsters a family recipe, an heirloom that reflects a shared family heritage or a quilt made with material or design that has family significance," he says. "They can hand down a hobby, provide the ingredients for a joint baking/cooking session or give an incomplete sewing, knitting or crocheting project. That's good because the parties can depend upon each other to complete segments of the overall item."

Other options include seeds for a garden to work in together, a puzzle to do together or a family album.

In giving to an older recipient, Kaplan suggests a package of supplies to make a book about family history or identity. This might include newspaper clippings, photos and stories written together. Other possibilities include an oral history or biographical booklet drawn from an interview conducted with the adult, or a computer game for the computer-shy adult, with offers to help with the installation and review of the instructions.

Older and younger gift-givers can team up for such joint gifts as, conducting a presentation, singing a song or playing instruments together at a nursing home, in a hospital children's ward or as part of a community event. They also can cook and deliver a meal to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter during a holiday event, or, join a community service project, such as helping to rebuild a park, delivering meals to the homebound or painting over graffiti.

"Gift-giving does not need to be an empty ritual or an inconvenience that reminds us of how busy we are," Kaplan says. "The process can be quite wonderful, meaningful and enriching for both parties. In my mind, not knowing how the person will 'receive' the gift is precisely the point. Yes, there's some risk, but it's the wonderful risk of being human."

###

EDITORS: Contact Matthew Kaplan at 814-863-7871 or by e-mail at msk15@psu.edu.

Contact:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-863-9877 fax #292