You won’t remember most gifts you got. You’ll remember the trip, the meal, the day.

Objects get absorbed into the background within weeks, while an afternoon with somebody stays retrievable for decades. Part of it is that a day has you in it, with other people, in a place, and a thing just sits there being owned. The presents people remember are usually the ones that were really an occasion.

Next time you are buying for somebody, think about giving a few hours instead: a match, a meal, a trip across town. And if you are asked what you want, ask for the day.