Oxfam Unwrapped has recruited a maths expert to help work out the secret formula to a happy Christmas. Now I’m no mathematical whizzkid, but I’m pretty sure I could have worked the formula out myself after a couple of sherries in front of the tree myself, but who am I to argue with science?!
Chris Green, the mathematician who compiled the formula for Oxfam, said –
We conducted research into some of the key factors that people associate with Christmas and calculated optimum scores for each factor. The good news is that most factors that impact on Christmas happiness are well within our control. Also, despite a lot of people thinking that Christmas is overly materialistic these days, as the formula shows, these types of things aren’t that significant.
So, for you to have the ‘perfect’ Christmas, this is what you will require –
- Up to 7000 calories consumed on Christmas Day (I may require a few more than that!)
- 3 weeks off work (I wish!)
- 15cm of centimetres of snow (could happen this year)
- No more than 5 family arguments (no chance!)
- No more than 10 hours shopping (hope so!)
- No stressful travelling (I hear ya!)
- 6 good presents (do socks count as 2 gifts?)
but most importantly, how many gifts you give, with each present making a huge difference to up to 50% of your happiness levels.
Personally, at Christmas I’m only truly happy with a lopsided paper hat on, a deck of cards in one hand, a goblet of Glennfiddich in the other, and half the UK’s cheese supply on a plate on my lap. But to be fair, I do love giving a present with a bit of thought, particularly after the debacle many moons ago of buying my dad a bottle of white wine by accident at 11pm on Christmas Eve, knowing he only drinks red! (Black Tower sound like a red though, right?)
Oxfam Unwrapped campaign manager, Rick Lay, said –
Christmas is the busiest time for Oxfam Unwrapped. Around 80% of the money we raise is given over the festive period, so we were really keen to find out what makes people happy at this time of year; what makes a perfect Christmas. It’s great to see that ultimately, happiness at Christmas comes down to quite simple things, such as enjoying time off work to spend with friends and family. With the act of giving gifts topping the happiness factors, we hope that it will make people realise that Christmas is a time they can make a real difference to the happiness of others. A gift from the Oxfam Unwrapped range will not only make your friends or family smile more, it will change the lives of people living in poverty all over the world. Surely that’s got to mean a happier Christmas all around.
