Her research focuses on the sociological aspects of marketing, consumption, and innovation including social class and consumption; consumption rituals; and corporate, community, and interpersonal gift-giving. She is currently working on a study that explores the sociological effects of not participating in collective consumption rituals such as Christmas. Another ongoing project investigates what happens when one receives a gift that is “unfinished” (e.g., a financial gift with a designated use), meaning that that the recipient must do something to complete the gift to the satisfaction of the giver.