From APM, American Public Media, and WNYC.

This is Freakonomics Radio on Marketplace.

Here's the host of Marketplace, Kyra's Doll.

Time now for a little Freakonomics radio.

It is that moment every couple of weeks

where we talk to Stephen Dubner, the co-author of the books

and the blog of the same name.

It is, yes, yes, it is, the hidden side of everything.

Dubner, how are you?

I'm great, Ky.

Happy holidays.

And to you, and to you, sir.

Thank you much.

I come today with some practical advice for the gift-giving season

because, you know, who better to help with your shopping strategy

than wait for it?

A bunch of economists.

Oh, did you need to get out more, man?

Now, you might think that an economist would simply encourage

everybody to buy absolutely as much stuff as they can

since that might create jobs for somebody somewhere.

But, in fact, many economists see gift-giving as terribly inefficient.

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