The New Braunfels Formula for Holiday Happiness

I did not grow up with a handbook on the philosophy of happiness. Most of us were not taught these things in school or around the dinner table. For a long time, the message was simply that success meant more, and more meant better. However, I have spent a lot of time recently following the work of Arthur Brooks, and it has changed how I look at my life and how I advise my clients.

As we are in the heart of the holiday season here in New Braunfels, I want to share some of that wisdom. It is a reminder that while we all have different balance sheets, we are all looking for the same thing. We all want a little more happiness.

The Problem with Stuff

Arthur Brooks reminds us that Mother Nature did not design us to find lasting joy in physical objects. In my profession, I see this play out constantly. Almost every seller I work with has more stuff than they can possibly give away to family or friends. We often spend days finding places to donate or dispose of items that were once prized possessions.

If you want to be happier, stop buying more things and start buying experiences. This is why people are drawn to communities like Vintage Oaks. You are not just buying a house. You are buying the lazy river, the fitness center, and the pools that act as a magnet for your family. One of the most special parts of living there is the summer concert series at Timber Ridge Park. Those evenings are about more than music. They are about building memories with your neighbors and your kids under the Texas sky.

The same is true for Copper Ridge. As a premier 24 hour gated and guarded community, it offers resort style living with beautiful hill country views. It is a perfect place for a second home where the focus is on peace of mind and family time rather than just square footage.

Reclaiming Your Time for Productive Leisure

One of the smartest ways to use money is to pay others to do the tasks you do not enjoy so you can reclaim your time. The key is what you do with that reclaimed time. Brooks calls it productive leisure. This means doing something of value that you love.

For many in our area, that means the Guadalupe River. Texas Parks and Wildlife is about to begin stocking rainbow and brown trout in the Canyon Tailrace starting December 22, 2025. This will continue through February 28, 2026. Taking that time to fly fish in the quiet of a winter morning is edifying. It is like meditation. For more information on how to enjoy this local treasure, I highly recommend visiting the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited website at grtu.org and Texas Parks & Wildlife website at Guadalupe River Trout Fishing.

If your version of productive leisure is more active, we have the legendary John Newcombe Estate and Country Club. It brings a wonderful Aus-Tex flair to our community. John Newcombe is a 26 time Grand Slam Title winner from Australia, and his John Newcombe Tennis Ranch and Tennis Academy right here in New Braunfels is world class. Whether you are playing a match or joining one of the clubs, it is about the experience and the people. You can find more details at newktennis.com.

Give Your Money to What You Love

When we talk about philanthropy, it has to be personal. For me, this hits home deeply. Both of my daughters were born premature. During those long days in the hospital, I realized the NICU had a simple but profound need for rocking chairs. Providing a place for a mother to hold her child is a game changer.

When you give your money away to something you are passionate about, it brings enormous satisfaction. If you do not have a specific cause, pal up with someone you love and support their passion. In each person is the whole world.

My Favorite New Braunfels Traditions

My own traditions in New Braunfels always bring me back to what matters. I love the Christmas caroling at the NBU Courtyard, which I often call the square. Hearing the traditional German songs reminds me of my own mother when we would sing O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum together.

I also make sure to visit the Weihnachtsmarkt. It is a major fundraiser for the Sophienburg Museum and Archives. Another fun stop is the Gruene Christmas Market Days. There is something so special about the Pony Express ride. I always tell friends to bring their addressed and stamped Christmas cards to the Post Office table there. They will hand cancel them with a commemorative Christmas stamp. It is a small, tangible touch of history and care.

A Note to My Clients

To my High Net Worth clientele, I want to leave you with this. Money is a tool for progress. Brooks is right that consumer debt is poison for happiness. However, a mortgage is progress and savings are a bridge to the future.

Savings create intergenerational wealth. This allows you to take care of the people you love. This holiday season, let us focus on being a magnet for our families, investing in our community, and finding joy in the traditions that make New Braunfels home.

A Closing Question for You

Arthur Brooks provides a wonderful framework, but I know that the real formula for happiness is written in the stories of our neighbors. I would love to hear from you.

What is a tradition that makes you feel like a magnet for your family? Is there a specific spot in New Braunfels or a local event that brings you that sense of productive leisure?

Please reach out and share your story with me. Whether it is a memory of the river, a favorite caroling spot, or a cause you are passionate about, I would love to hear what makes this season meaningful for you.