It was a snowy December evening and the busy city center of Munich was bustling with activity. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees, Christmas markets beckoned with mulled wine and gingerbread, and people hurried through the streets with full shopping bags.
The light was still on in one of the offices in a modern high-rise building. Alexander Wagner, in his mid-50s, at the zenith of his career and one of the most successful managers in the automotive industry, sat at his desk. The figures from the annual accounts flickered across his screen while he absently played with a ballpoint pen. His thoughts were elsewhere. It was December 22nd and, like every year, he had once again failed to get his Christmas presents in time.
The next day, during a business presentation for customers, something unexpected happened. His cell phone vibrated, and when Alexander took a quick look at it, he saw a message from his mother: “Alexander, can you come over tomorrow? I have something I want to give you. It’s important.”
After work, he drove straight to her house. His mother lived in a small house on the outskirts of town that had remained unchanged for decades. The smell of freshly baked cookies greeted him when she opened the door. Her steps were slow and Alexander noticed how fragile she had become.
“I’m glad you found the time, my boy,” she said with a loving smile. She handed him an old, slightly yellowed box.
“What’s that?” he asked curiously.
“Something I recently found in the attic. It belonged to your father.”
“You know, Alexander,” his mother began quietly, “your father was a busy man, but he always said that time with the family is the most precious thing we have. Life is so short. And sometimes it would be nice if we all took that to heart a little more.”
Alexander felt a lump in his throat. The thought of how little time he had spent with his mother in recent years weighed heavily on him. On the drive home, he knew what he had to do.
After dinner, as they gathered around the Christmas tree, Alexander presented Sophie with a small parcel. Inside was a handwritten card:
“For my dearest Sophie. This year I’m giving you the most precious thing I have: my time.
Pack your bags, we’re spending New Year’s Eve in the idyllic Swiss mountain village of Zermatt. Just you, our children and me.”
Sophie gasped for air. “That’s…” She fell silent, tears coming to her eyes. “That’s wonderful, Alexander. Thank you.”
But that wasn’t all. Alexander turned to his mother, who was sitting next to him on the sofa. Her eyes looked shiny and tired, and he felt a twinge of fear that he might lose her one day.
“Mom, I have something for you too. You remember that old photo album? It inspired me. We’ve both put it off for so much too long.
Next month, we’re all going to Switzerland, Ticino, for a week: we’ll visit Lugano – the pearl on Lake Lugano, the idyllic Morcote and drive up Monte Brè, Monte San Salvatore and the legendary Monte Generoso! Just like we used to do with my father.”
His mother put a hand over her mouth and began to cry. Her voice trembled as she said: “Oh, Alexander. This is the best present I could ever have wished for. Thank you, my boy. Thank you.”
In that moment, surrounded by the people he loved, Alexander felt a deep satisfaction that he hadn’t felt for a long time. He had realized what really mattered: not success at work, not the biggest house or the most expensive gifts, but the time we spend with those who are most important to us.
And so this Christmas became one of the most unforgettable ever, not only for Alexander, but also for his family – a Christmas that they would carry in their hearts forever, not through material gifts, but through genuine closeness and shared experiences.
In a world that is often defined by hustle and success, many people measure the value of their lives by material achievements. Money, careers and possessions seem to be the ultimate goal. But there is one truth that unites us all: time is our most precious commodity. It is limited and irretrievable, every second, every hour, every day!
No one on their deathbed has ever regretted not spending more time in the office. Rather, it is the missed moments with loved ones, the unrealized dreams and the moments of joy that we miss.
The success of life does not lie in the size of our bank account, but in the depth of our relationships. By consciously taking time for the finer things in life, we give ourselves and our loved ones something of inestimable value. Time is love in its purest form.
Maybe it’s time to stop and ask yourself: what am I using my hours for? A trip, an outing together or simply an afternoon of conversation and laughter can mean more than any expensive gift. Because the true treasures of our lives are not found in the things we own, but in the moments we share.
Time is the only commodity that cannot be bought or multiplied.
Each of us has 24 hours a day – and how we use them is entirely up to us.
So it’s worth thinking about how we set our priorities.
My personal words to you:
Perhaps there is someone in your life who is waiting for you to make time for them. Christmas and the New Year are the perfect opportunity to show how important our loved ones are to us.
Surprise your family – and give them the most precious thing you have: Your time.
My luxury tours through Switzerland:
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As a native of Switzerland, I can also show you hidden places off the beaten track that only insiders know about.
Your luxury tour is a matter of the heart for me, and I assure you it will meet your highest expectations and create unique memories that will last a lifetime!
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