“The path to a merry Christmas comes not from purchasing many expensive gifts at the mall, wrapping them, and placing them under the tree, but instead from satisfying deeper needs to be close to one’s family and find meaning in life.” While this quote is warm and fuzzy enough to have been taken from a holiday television special, it’s actually the concluding statement of scientific journal. The article “What Makes for a Merry Christmas?” found in The Journal of Happiness Studies is crammed with facts and figures from hundreds of hours of scientific research, and this study confirms what many of us already know well, people not presents are what make the Holidays truly joyful.
Looking back on my own childhood, I have many fond holiday memories of family trips to the snow ─ yes, us Californian’s are willing to drive a couple of hours in order to enjoy the white Christmas experience ─ homemade Christmas ornaments, a countdown advent calendar, and Christmas evening camp-outs in the living room where my brother, sister, and I would try to catch a glimpse of Santa as he delivered gifts under the tree.
As a child, if you would have asked me what I most looked forward to during the holidays, I’m sure I would have answered, “the presents,” and as I teenager, I’m quite certain that I rolled my eyes a number of times at the thought of participating in some of these family traditions. Yet, today when I look back, I see that both science and the holiday Christmas specials have gotten it right ─ family, friendship and celebrating a deeper meaning during the Holidays truly is what matters most. Now that I’ve grown up, communicating the value of the holiday season is something that I’m thrilled to pass on to my own children.
Here are three, simple strategies for communicating what matters most this year.
1. Limit the Materialistic.
According to this study, “The materialistic aspects of modern Christmas celebrations may undermine well-being.” This is in no way to say that one should eliminate presents and parties entirely, as they can still be an important part of the season. Yet, knowing that the materialistic matters less than we often think, is a good way to reduce unneeded mommy and daddy guilt and to stay within the budget this year.
2. Establish Traditions
Whether you’re leaving out milk and cookies out for Santa, along with a carrot for Rudolph, taking a family trip to look at holiday lights, making home-made ornaments for the tree, cooking up an extra special holiday meal, or hiding the ever popular elf on the shelf around the house, know that traditions matter. If you’re like me, when you think back to your childhood, it’s difficult to recall all of the gifts that you received over the years, but it’s easy to remember the way you felt, the people you spent time with, and the important traditions that filled this time of year.
3. Serve Others
When it comes to generating holiday happiness, second only to spending time with family and friends, is practicing a deeper meaning for the season. Whether you’re participating in a candlelight church service, donating toys to a family in need, or volunteering at the local rescue mission, this season is the perfect opportunity to pass on lasting values to our children. The unexpected result that comes from serving others is that these acts of goodwill benefit us as much, if not even more than those we help, making this the ideal time to teach our children about the joy that comes from simple acts of service.
My guess is that you are probably doing many of the things mentioned in this post already, and while understanding that “family and spiritual activities may help people to feel more satisfied,” will probably not revolutionize the way you celebrate, it’s nice to know that science has validated what many of us have known all along; friends, family, and taking time to focus on the deeper meaning behind the holiday season, truly is what matters most. With that in mind, what will you do to live out what matters most this holiday season?