Research LibraryDyl, J., & Wapner, S. (1996). Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 62(3), 340–377. DOI: 10.1006/jecp.1996.0034.
Read the original source →A study of cherished possessions across ages 6 to 18 found that what children valued in objects changed over development: younger children more often described self-focused meaning in their belongings, while older children and adolescents placed more weight on social and relationship meanings. This is developmental research on how children understand objects and giving, not a study of gift products or gift-giving decisions themselves.
Age can help explain what a gift might mean to a child, but a child's actual current interests remain more useful than an age label alone -- use age for developmental framing, not as a stand-in for personal taste.
Adjacent developmental-psychology research on possessions generally, not a study of gift-giving or gift choice specifically.
Last reviewed September 14, 2026.