A friend said something to me recently that got my attention. We were talking about the economic downturn and she said, “Maybe this will draw families closer together.”

We’re told people are buying less for Christmas. That in itself is a good thing, I think, though not for the retailers. There were times in America when people were happy with one present and played in the snow for fun. They ate meals with parents and grandparents and enjoyed each other’s company.

Could this economic crisis be a blessing in disguise? Will the economic struggles draw us closer together and cause us to appreciate family and friends more? We tend to trust in things to make us happy, though they never do.

What could you do without and not really suffer? What do you actually need, as opposed to what you may want? Those are good questions to ask anytime, but especially now. Think on these things as we approach Christmas. And do more than think on them; act on your thoughts.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.