We buy a sofa instead ofa ski trip, not taking into account that we will get used to the sofa very quickly and that it will stop being asourceofhappiness, while the vacation will likely stay in our minds for a long time.
For others, economic strain, family estrangement, the pressure of others' expectations, overtaxed schedules and plain old exhaustion can mount and crush the happiness out a season that was previously asourceof comfort.