Three weeks off work, 7,000 calories, 15cm of snow and no more than 10 hours shopping – the perfect ingredients for a happy Christmas, according to one maths expert.
Chris Green, a mathematics teacher 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."
The formula was produced to promote the charity's Oxfam Unwrapped scheme which supports poor communities around the world.
Rick Lay, Oxfam Unwrapped campaign manager, said: "Christmas is the busiest time for Oxfam Unwrapped.
"Around 80 per cent 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."
The research threw up these suggestions:
- Anything more than 7,000 calories and you're too full to enjoy yourself;
- Just one day off work boosts happiness by 70 per cent, with three weeks being the optimum amount;
- More than five family arguments and "happiness levels plummet";
- Receiving six gifts produces the "optimum happiness" and simply giving one gift boosts festive cheer somehow by 50 per cent.
Mr Lay added: "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."
Note: The “perfect ingredients” are universal. Malta, UK, Yemen or Honolulu. Indulge in all those little things that put a smile on your face: We recommend taking time off to be with the ones you most care about.