The perennial challenge for us as American Jews is to see if we can find enough fulfillment in Hanukkah so as to counteract the lure of Christmas. Part of the difficulty in doing so is that Hanukkah doesn't particularly seem to be one of our greatest holidays. It seems like a minor holiday, with few practices and rituals. In evaluating how happy a holiday Chanukah really is, we need first to establish what true happiness is and then evaluate to what extent Chanukah fulfills the criteria of happiness. Ideal happiness is unadulterated by negative side effects.
Ideal happiness is based on accomplishment and achievement.
Ideal happiness involves the total mind or self. Ideal happiness is hard to achieve alone. Ideal happiness involves something of meaning, importance or value. Ideal Happiness is sustained. Fleeting pleasures are clearly not ideal happiness.