Book Reviews
Joseph Price of Brigham Young University reviews “Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldnt Buy Presents for the Holidays” by Joel Waldfogel,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Considers whether the giving of Christmas gifts is a wasteful practice and how to make it an efficient force for good instead. Discusses spending and satisfaction; U.S. holiday spending; how much waste occurs at Christmas; why we give gifts; giving and waste around the world; a century of American Yuletide spending; having yourself a borrowed little Christmas; luxury versus necessity goods at Christmas; Christmas and commercialism; making giving more efficient with cash and gift cards; giving and redistribution; and solutions--making gift-giving a force for good. Waldfogel is Ehrenkranz Professor and Chair of Business and Public Policy at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Index.”