What does everyone love talking about? It’s no shock that everyone loves to talk about the things they do and what they are passionate about. Getting people to talk about themselves is simple and the easiest way to get anyone to like you. In his well-loved book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, Dale Carnegie said, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

This great advice applies to all ages and situations.

I was looking at an article this week where the author was making suggestions for holiday gifts that would fit any budget. As I read, I started thinking. Oven mitts that double as colorful dinosaur puppets would be a great gift for Mom. Would my grandma want the snow globe salt and pepper shakers? Which of my Jewish friends would want a dreidel muffin tin for only ten dollars? I bet my uncle would like the Death Star shaped Planetarium. Bacon flavored candy canes would be appreciated by my little brother who loves bacon enough to eat it as candy.

In the classic story of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Willy Wonka announces that five golden tickets would be hidden in chocolate bars from his candy factory. Those who were lucky enough to find a golden ticket would get a tour of Wonka’s mysterious lair. People became so obsessed with finding a ticket, they went to extreme measures to find one, and the joy they once found in the chocolate bar was lost.