With the expensive part of the Hallowthankmas season now approaching, a question must be looming large in our readers’ minds: “Dear Overcoming Bias, are there biases I can exploit to be seen as generous without actually spending lots of money?” I’m glad to report the answer is yes! According to Hsee—in a paper entitled “Less is better: When low-value options are valued more highly than high-value options”—if you buy someone a $45 scarf, you are more likely to be seen as generous than if you buy them a $55 coat.1
