What's your favourite Christmas film?

I love Elf, like The Santa Clause and absolutely adore It's a Wonderful Life. But just ahead of the pack is the Jim Carrey movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

On Sunday evening, I dusted it off and gave it my annual pre-Christmas once-over.

And it provided the perfect pick-me-up after a day of queuing, anguish, stress and aggravation as I attempted to do my Christmas shopping in Norwich on Saturday.

'Retail therapy' leaves me feeling sick. And, judging by the many miserable faces in the city, I'm not the only one who is ailing.

At some point, somehow, we seem to have missed or misrepresented the meaning of Christmas.

For me, its true message lies in the birth of Jesus, and the hope that it brought to us all. I celebrate that with joy every year.

But that does not resonate with everybody, so it's good to have a sub-plot to draw out. Why not go for three Fs – family, friends and fellowship?

I acknowledge that there are some for whom Christmas is a time when loneliness is exacerbated, and sadness magnified.

But for many millions, it is a chance to spend time with loved ones, to relax for a few days and to put the worries of the world out of mind.

Unfortunately that message is hideously contorted each year by the pressure to spend money – the malevolent 'god' that most of us worship at Christmas.

TV adverts from the end of October are sickly-sweet pieces of celebrity-endorsed propaganda, designed to make us believe that the festive season is not complete unless we have bought a 42in plasma screen TV, Wiis for each of the children and digital cameras for all members of the extended family, down to the second cousins.

Oh, and don't forget to buy an expensive gift for your cat and guinea pigs. They will never forgive you if you leave them out.

Never mind the fact that money is tight, or that most of the people who you are buying for have already got more belongings than the average sub-Saharan nation.

This year, I am trying to get off the hamster wheel. When people ask what I want for Christmas (and my birthday, which is uncomfortably close to Christmas, and betrays poor parental planning), I am asking for nothing – at least in terms of cash cost.

From my children, I want a few days without squabbling, so that we can savour what could be one of our final Christmases together before they begin to fly the nest.

From my wife, I simply want her company. Our lives are so busy that it is something that is priceless.

From others, I'll settle for a smile, a hug, a chat over a pint or even a quick message on Twitter or Facebook that maintains the golden thread of contact with people who mean something to me.

Going back to The Grinch, I love the essence of the plot, which sees the inhabitants of Whoville have all their presents stolen by the grumpy Grinch as he tries to make their Christmas as miserable as he is.

As they survey the scene, they break into song and enjoy, undistracted, time with each other.

Back atop Mount Crumpit, as the song echoes about him, the truth about Christmas dawns on the Grinch. 'Maybe Christmas', he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.'

Exactly. So make a lasting investment this festive season – spend time, not money.

•This article was first published on December 13, 2012.