Presents are wonderful. Great presents are even better. But presents aren't everything. This couple haven't even bought each other bad presents - he looks better for his shave and a comb, and she really suits her lingerie, but the point is they're not actually doing anything different. They, like so many people, seem to be waiting for the magic of Christmas to happen to them.
Christmas doesn't just happen. Nor does any holiday. The day might occur, and the calendar will keep moving by, but if you sit there and don't take part in it, you'll never feel any different. Life will happen around you, but not to you. This is one of the repeated messages of Haderer's work. Do more now. Stop waiting. Stop wishing. Grab hold of life before it passes you by. You don't get a second go around!