Food for thought: K-State expert says holiday food gifts can have special meaning

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Source: Leon Rappoport, rappo@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Levi Wolters, 785-532-6415

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

HOLIDAY
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: K-STATE EXPERT SAYS HOLIDAY FOOD GIFTS CAN HAVE SPECIAL MEANING

MANHATTAN -- The piles of chocolates and cookies from the neighbors were devoured within days of their arrival to your home. The fruitcake from your aunt, however, will likely spend the next few months in the back of the freezer.

Whether holiday food gifts are healthy or fattening, tasty or otherwise, Leon Rappoport, professor emeritus of psychology at Kansas State University, said there are reasons beyond cost and convenience why your aunt, neighbors and others give the food they give over the holidays.

Foods such as breads, turkey, ham, fruits, jellies and jams are the more practical staple foods, Rappoport said.

"People who give those are likely to be more concerned with practical, down-to-earth values and attitudes associated with health and nutrition," Rappoport said. "This is more typical of middle-age or older folks."

Givers also recognize the sweet tooth of younger people, Rappoport said.

"Cookies, candy and chocolate-covered cherries have the character of stimulating sweet treats," Rappoport said. "They are most likely to be seen as desirable gifts by younger people who value immediately pleasurable taste sensations and are not much concerned with practical matters like health."

In between the staple foods and the treats are the traditional popcorn tins and nuts, which tend to be both practical and healthy.

"These tend to be associated with pleasurable entertaining occasions, like watching movies and TV," Rappoport said. "And of course, empty popcorn tins can have practical uses. So in general, I'd see these items as good compromise gifts likely to be selected by thoughtful middle-age or older adults."

Besides convenience and the nature of their relationship, givers may be demonstrating their feelings to the recipient when giving homemade baked goods or sweets as opposed to store-bought foods, Rappoport said.

"Insofar as someone is willing to take the time and make the effort to bake cookies or bread or prepare items, it can be seen as demonstrating that they wish to show a more significant, personal involvement in their gift," he said. "And/or that they wish to show off their ability to prepare something special or difficult."

Rappoport is the author of "How We Eat: Appetite, Culture, and the Psychology of Food."