I don’t know about you, but that’s all I needed to hear before I immediately started fantasizing on how I was going to spend the money. Up to twelve hundred dollars! What a great present. I’ve actually never been happier to be married in my life.

The first thing I thought of was making a donation to a worthy cause, but then I remembered why I work in the first place—to support my ever-growing charity habit. It was only then that I broadened my definition of worthy cause and grandfathered my home in.

My next move was to research what up to $1200 could actually buy, and for that, I took the liberty of consulting the Chiasso catalog.

Quite a lot, it turns out. Nearly every sofa. Up to two large area rugs. One, for sure, and almost two, side chairs. A dining room table and chairs. Shelving. An ottoman. (Is the plural ottomen, because I can really buy two.) Loads of lighting options—pendant, floor, table and desk lamps. Clocks, wall art, fireplace accessories—and even most of an entire ambient fireplace! Room dividers, bathroom accessories, serving pieces, mailboxes, doormats, doorbells, door stoppers…you get the idea.

If you’re single, or filing separately, and plan on receiving an up to a $600 rebate, you can still get many of the things I just mentioned, with the added benefit of choosing it completely on your own.

Regardless of the how, the key is the why. When our rebate checks arrive later this Spring, it’s our patriotic duty to pursue happiness. Who can argue with that?