Happiness doesn’t come from material gifts. It comes from time well spent with close people. A good mindset to prepare for times of crisis.

Presents are everywhere.

What do we bring along to that dinner invitation? We can’t go with empty hands. Just something small for the kids. A card game, plus some sweets.

A colleague is leaving? She’s been here for almost five years. Let’s put some money together and give her a voucher for a wellness weekend. Plus an extensive bouquet, of course.

Somebody is giving a presentation at your local service club? Let’s give him that illustrated book about our town. Besides the compulsory bottle of wine, of course.

What Makes Me Unhappy?

These are just some examples. Even though we live in an abundance of just about everything, presents are deeply engrained in our culture. But are they really necessary? Are your kids happier if they have 26 different card games as opposed to only 25? Will your colleague keep you in better memory because of a wellness weekend in a resort she couldn’t choose? And do you think that book about your town will ever be read?

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t shun presents because I don’t want to be nice to people. Or because I want to save money — although there are more than enough people whose economic hardship would be eased if they didn’t feel obliged to buy presents for all sorts of occasions. I often think of this when people collect money to buy an expensive present for a colleague or teacher. It’s hard to oppose group pressure, especially when everybody knows that you are having a hard time economically.

I have a minimalist view of material things. I am happier if I have less stuff around me. My kids typically get into disputes about material things. I hate to receive a present which I don’t need and to take an effort to dispose of it properly.

What Makes Me Happy?

Let’s turn this around. What makes me happier than receiving presents?

Playing cards with my kids — that is, with a deck of cards we already have. Often, my kids are asking for a glass of apple juice to make the occasion special. Couldn’t be simpler, yet these are the situations everybody in the family enjoys.

Have a simple dinner with friends or colleagues. The other day, I had the last day of my active reserve duty in the Swiss Air Force. No lengthy speeches, no expensive presents, just a simple pizza & beer dinner with my comrades.

Spending Christmas in the forest. Good company, a fire, soup & sausages, a glass of wine, maybe a cigar. I wouldn’t trade this in the world for the hectic Christmas present hunt in the city.

Be Happy With Little, You Will Be Thankful in Times of Crisis

It doesn’t take people much to be happy. A good time together is much more important than material presents — very much so in normal times, but is an excellent preparation for times of crisis.

And if you still don’t want to come with empty hands: remember that a good present can be eaten, drunk, or burned.