Kelly Corrigan Wonders Deep Dive with Anna Quindlen on The Art of Gifting and Regifting
Dec 9, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anna Quindlen shares her thoughts on the art of gifting and regifting. She reflects on the emotional ties to possessions and how the pandemic has shifted our relationship with them. Anna and Kelly explore the joys of passing treasures to loved ones and the significance of family traditions over materialism. They also share humorous anecdotes about regifting mishaps and reveal their family’s unique gifting practices, reminding us that the spirit of giving is what truly matters.
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Possessions Aren't Salvation
- Anna Quindlen observes that possessions don’t prove or solve anything and that people often confuse desire with need.
- She suggests simplifying surroundings brings emotional clarity and contentment.
Tradition As Protection From Loss
- Anna Quindlen notes holidays carry intense societal expectations that can mask private grief or pain.
- She connects ritualized traditions to a desire for permanence against life's fragility.
A Small Bird, A Lasting Connection
- Anna Quindlen shares a small gift story about a porcelain bird she bought her mother for Christmas before her mother's final hospitalization.
- The bird now sits on Anna's desk as a lasting connection and symbol of permanence.
