In this segment of the Dec. 6 episode of Motley Fool Answers, Alison Southwick and Robert Brokamp step back from their investing advice and offer the insights we all need in December — which are more about better spending. The final tip is one your mom probably told you years ago — but now backed up by research: The same item — offbeat, inexpensive or otherwise — is considered a better present if the person you give it to is aware that you thought carefully about  getting something personal to them. (Plus, a bonus: The worst present you can ever get anyone.)
 
A transcript follows the video.

This podcast was recorded on December 6, 2016.

Alison Southwick: All right, final one. It turns out that the thought really does count. This is a 2012 study from the Journal of Experimental Psychology . People were given kind of a weird, unwanted gift. Again, not a pen, but it was a small, wooden ruler from a museum's gift shop. And the recipient rated it as more desirable when they were told it had been thoughtfully picked out for them. So a weird gift doesn't seem bad when you understand that the person was at least trying to be thoughtful. So if the thought counts, you need to mention the thought. And Bro, I want to tell you ...

Robert Brokamp: You have a pen for me ...

Southwick: That I got you this pen. It is a standard issue, Motley Fool pen. It's a really lovely pen, and it made me think of you because of all of our times working together at The Motley Fool and because you're such a good writer.

Brokamp: Oh, see, now that's very thoughtful. Thank you very much.

Southwick: I hope that you will write with that pen and look back longingly on the days we got to work together.

Brokamp: I'll use it on my computer every day. Thank you very much.

Southwick: Huh?

Brokamp: Huh? It worked.

Southwick: It worked.

Brokamp: Wow.

Southwick: I do need that back.

Brokamp: That's what I figured.

Southwick: So that is five ways to be a best giver and here's a bonus -- the worst present you can possibly give someone ever. And those of you who are on our Facebook group already know that I believe this. But picture it. You're walking through Costco and you see a giant 93-inch teddy bear.

Brokamp: Oh, yeah.

Southwick: It costs $289 and you think, "Wouldn't it be hilarious if I bought my wife/girlfriend/other that giant teddy bear? Oh, we would laugh. Yes, this is the best idea I've ever had."

No! No! This is the worst idea. Never buy a woman a gift as a joke because you're not that funny, and if you are going to do it, don't make it a 93-inch teddy bear that is just going to be a massive headache to try and get rid of.

Brokamp: It's huge. I've seen this thing.

Southwick: And they make one that's 53 inches. It's still 40 inches too big. Like just don't do it. Don't buy the massive teddy bear. The joke will not bring as much joy to balance out how horrible it's going to be for her to drag that out to the trash and beg the garbageman to take it away someday. I mean, how many square feet is that taking up in your house?

Brokamp: It's a big bear -- no question about it.

Southwick: So there you go. If you're going to buy anything, just don't buy the big Costco bear. By the way, full disclosure. I own shares of Costco. Just buy a share of Costco, instead.

Engdahl: What if they bought shares of Costco and put it in the hands of the big teddy bear?

Southwick: No! That's still awful! Just don't do it. Don't do the big teddy bear. And none of you listeners out there, who are like, "Oh, I really love the show. Wouldn't it be funny if I bought Alison the big teddy bear for Christmas?" No. No, it will not be funny.

Brokamp: Just stick with the Tesla, folks.

Southwick: Just stick with sending me a postcard. That's all I want. OK, that's all I've got.