No matter what the occasion is—–Valentine’s Day, my birthday, and yes, even Christmas—–I’m an easy woman to please when it comes to presents. In fact, as long as the item is in good taste, I can usually appreciate and find use for it as long as the efforts are sincere. But over time, what I’ve come to appreciate even more are the types of treasures that one just can’t stroll up to a checkout line for, ship in a package or add to a virtual cart.

Singer and songwriter India.Arie encapsulated this mindset brilliantly in her 2002 hit called “Little Things.” In her warm and throaty alto, Arie describes the perks of success, the everyday pleasures she still enjoys and how, briefly, bling and trophies felt more important than the honing her craft: “Runnin’ ’round in circles, lost my focus, lost sight of my goals. I do this for the love of music, not for the glitter and gold.”

And yes, to ‘keep it real,’ many of us do that from time to time—gripe about what latest gadgets and goodies we’re lacking as we overlook the many gifts that we already have access to. Is it wrong to want that new tablet or limited edition handbag? Probably not. But could they replace a strong shoulder, cuddling on a cold night or the sound of a loved one’s voice? Money and status symbols can be great, as long as they aren’t the only thing you have.

I remember a powerful point comedian Chris rock brought up several years ago in his book, Rock This!: “I don’t want to be broke, even though in some ways it’s cool because you know who your friends are. If you’re broke and someone wants to hang out with you, they really want to hang out with you…..Anybody can love you when you’re rich.”

That kernel of truth that can elude us when we get bombarded all day everyday with TV commercials and internet ads about this sale, that discount and which phone apps and promo codes can ‘help make their Christmas special.’ But usually, before I get too pressed about a wish list, I take comfort in what’s already within my reach, like health, a sound mind and having people in my life who care about the status of both.

No one works my nerves quicker than family, but joys like new babies to play with and my parents still being around signify blessing that I have yet to take for granted. Darius comes up light on chores at times, but he dreams big, does well in school and often tells me “I love you.” The daughters that seem to hit us up for field trip money every other week and leave soaking wet towels on the bathroom floor still snuggle in our laps during movies, enjoy family time and ask for kisses goodnight.

I think of the friends who brunch and show up for kids’ birthday parties, the neighbors who’ve stepped in when necessity called. I appreciate my editors cutting me slack as needed while paying me in the process, as well as the unique path that led to me to sharing these insights for a publication I grew up reading from.

Does that mean I don’t want cash for Target or the movie passes inside the holiday card? Of course not. But like the song says, what matters are “the little things and the joy they bring,” so no matter how many presents are under the tree, I already have what really counts. Happy Holidays Everyone!