While we suspect that Christmas 2009 will be remembered as the season of taxes and uncharacteristic flood rain, we think it should also be used as a lesson to all.

As The STAR reported yesterday, merchants have said that shoppers have been very cautious and taking advantage of discounts. In addition, quite a few persons have taken a less sparkly approach to the season, not putting up lights as usual as they take their light bills into consideration.

It means, then, that not only can we be less carefree in spending our hard-earned money at this time of year, but also that the merchants can do much, much better with their prices. For while they make a point about lowering costs we are sure the merchants are not operating at a loss. Hence we can only imagine the level of profit which they were making at the original price.

In addition, we know that the persons who are shopping less or not at all, are as very much alive as they would have been if they had been able to shop until they literally dropped. It means, then, that they are able to survive without extreme expenditure at this time of year - or any time, for that matter.

We do know that bright lights and new items lift the spirits. And we know as well that we have been programmed that we need that lift in the spirit at this time of year. However, maybe we should take the opportunity to analyse what really makes us not just fleetingly happy but deeply happy.

We may just find that it is the bright smiles of our loved ones and the free gift of their love and support.

Merry Christmas 2009.