Scientists have been looking at what really makes us happy. Can money truly buy happiness? Not necessarily! But what we choose to spend our money on can contribute to our happiness over time. Several recent studies have shown that people become happier with experiences, even small ones like going to the movies or for a hike. But what happens when they get material things? Happiness with material objects tends to decline over time.
Scientists have been looking at what really makes us happy. Can money truly buy happiness? Not necessarily! But what we choose to spend our money on can contribute to our happiness over time. Several recent studies have shown that people become happier with experiences, even small ones like going to the movies or for a hike. But what happens when they get material things? Happiness with material objects tends to decline over time.
There are lots of reasons for this. For one thing, when you get a new electronic item, you'll probably find something you like better later on, which will make you unhappy with what you have. When it comes to vacations – like your honeymoon – though, you'll always have the memories of the positive experiences. These can last a lifetime. In comparison, the memory of the latest-and-greatest product on the market can fade pretty fast.
With this in mind, many couples are starting honeymoon registries instead of the traditional wedding gift registries. With a honeymoon registry, their guests can contribute directly to a great experience. The bride and groom can often take a fantastic honeymoon and they'll always have those memories to hold on to. That's just one reason why a honeymoon registry can contribute to your long-term happiness as compared to a traditional registry. Here are some others:
- Some happiness studies show that we have a much harder time choosing what we want when it comes to stuff than when it comes to an experience. This is true when trying to decide what to include in a traditional wedding registry.
If you haven't lived with your fiancé before, you may not know exactly what your life together will be like. This can make it hard to choose household goods you'll both like for years to come. Many couples actually end up revamping their dining sets, for instance, after they've been married a few years because they find they really want something different.
When you use a honeymoon registry, though, you'll make decisions easily based on what you both like to do. Then, you'll use your registry so you can have those experiences and build lifelong memories.
- You don't end up with things you don't need. It's even easier to become dissatisfied with our stuff when we have things we don't really need in the first place! If you're like the 74% of couples who live together before they get married, chances are you already have the kitchen, dining, and linen basics you'd otherwise put on a wedding registry.
While many couples will try to find things they still want, or think they need, this is clearly not always for the best. These couples may just end up registering for items they're ambivalent about, and typically they end up in the neighborhood garage sale in a couple of years.
With a honeymoon registry, you can register for all the experiences you want without having to worry about finding room for them in your home or apartment. Just go and enjoy yourselves on your honeymoon and take your memories with you for the rest of your lives.
- You don't have to worry about your honeymoon experiences like you have to worry about your new dressy dishes. Often when a couple has the basics, they will include expensive or fragile items, like formal china, on their traditional wedding registry. These items always come with a little bit of worry. You don't want them to break or chip. You have to find exactly the right spot in the house to display them. You have to keep them dusted and in good condition.
With a honeymoon registry, there's no worry involved. You can just go have a great experience and feel good about your honeymoon. Over time, your experiences will leave you feeling happier and satisfied, instead of worried and frustrated!
Resource: http://www.livescience.com/6158-study-happiness-experiences-stuff.html The results were published in the January issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
About the Author: Andrew Marino is the CEO of HoneymoonPixie.com, an industry leader in providing honeymoon gift registries for engaged couples. Couples create their free honeymoon registry website and receive honeymoon planning advice and travel tips. Andrew also serves as a contributing Senior Travel Editor.
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