why does everyone get stressed and depressed around christmas?

Answer 1

i guess because of the pressure that commercialisation has brought with it, i think the true meaning of christmas has been lost for the majority of people these days which is quite sad.

merry christmas :)

Answer 2

Depressed because the life you lead is not the perfect Norman Rockwell Christmas scene and never will be (that would be unrealistic expectations). And sometimes it is also memories or Christmas past that weren't that happy and the feeling of "here we go again". Stressed because it is a departure from the normal routine - there are present to buy for people you don't really know, with money you don't really have. And you have to spend time with people and family you may not really like and you would rather be spending your time doing your own thing, but you can't because you have family pressures to show up and be nice. There are lots of things that stress and depress people at the holidays. But, yippie, only 8 more days and it is over for another year.

Answer 3

My family is split in half. You ave the one half that wants to buy gifts for everyone in the family just because they think it's proper (and there is clearly no thought put into their gifts they get you). Then the other half wants to buy gifts but cant afford it because they are broke so they get depressed. Then they also get depressed because when we have a family function the people that can afford to come and bring something have a great time and the others that can't afford anything end up having a horrible time. Sorry to express such a messed up family but I figured this way was the best way to show others why people get stressed and depressed around Christmas.

Answer 4

Not really, it's actually the time of year that I am least depressed. It's the time of year that I enjoy most because I get to spend time with my family and my boyfriend's family, exchange gifts and eat two delicious Christmas dinners! This is my boyfriend and I's first Christmas living together so it's extra special. It is a little depressing that I spend so much on Christmas gift and will spend half of next year paying for it, but as long as my family has a great Christmas, that's all that matters.

Answer 5

Crowds, shopping, money (or lack thereof), making enough time for family or friend or work get-togethers... any number of things. Some people are alone, and might become depressed because they feel no one loves them. This happens to elderly people a lot I think. Some people are already depressed and don't know it, and the holidays can make it worse with everything that is going on. Or not going on, as the case may be for some people.

Answer 6

People get stressed and depressed around any holiday or day that puts unrealistic expectations on people. We are all supposed to be 'happy, giving, loving, generous, etc.' on Christmas, but many of us are not that way and the 'stress' of trying to force yourself to 'fit into the norm' can actually make the 'depression' worse. The WORST days for people who try to commit suicide are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Super Bowl ... so 'lower your expectations' and do the things that do make you truly happy, and have your 'celebrations' on other days, if you are 'stressed' or depressed ... you will be much happier, and so will the people around you.

Answer 7

I think it differs for each individual person. Some people (like me) have lost a loved one around Christmas and the shopping and decorations remind us of who we have lost. Others become depressed because this time of year can really make someon lonely if he/she has no family or nobody to celebrate with. And other people are stressed because of the financial cost to buy presents for everyone, buy and prepare the gourment feast everyone expects, etc.

Answer 8

Stressed because you may not have enough money to buy gifts for your family and know you are going to disappoint your kids as a result and depressed because if you are alone it seems like everyone else in the world is out there having fun and enjoying the holidays while you sit at home alone.

Answer 9

Like everyone else said, it's the pressure to spend money that you need to hold tightly. I prefer writing to talking and my family loves eloquently written christmas cards and a ten dollar bill (for everyone, regardless of age, democratically unbiased) is a modest gift that I can afford as a sub teacher. We're just saturated with advertising and although the lights and ornaments are pretty, most of us grown-ups just can't take the same fiction. It goes against the reality of winter, which is the lack of things (heat, light, food, etc.) and acting happy in these conditions is so consuming. The best satisfaction is keeping your wallet closed in your back pocket and depriving the corporations of their satisfaction.

Answer 10

Because they're so wrapped up with the commercial "Hallmark" definition of Christmas: more presents and more credit cards.

then they stress about what crap to buy people, and max out their credit cards...then they begin to think about outdoing someone else in the gift giving and spend more money. Thinking about New Year holiday credit card bills would make me depressed too.

If they would get it through their thick skulls that Christams isn't about Santa Claus and useless crap thats gonna end up in the basement in 2 months, they would decipher that the real meaning of Christmas is to be thankful, celebrate love & family, and, most importantly, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ (hense the name CHRISTMAS...not Santamas) maybe then it would truely be a cheerful holiday

Answer 11

Do they? A lot do, because at Christmas you're supposed to be amongst loved ones. Watch American TV and films, and you see people in big comfortable houses with ideal lives and appearing so happy. I have no parents, so I start wondering what it would be like to be able to go home to family. Many people simply spend money they don't have, and smile, but underneath there's depression because they know they're simply failures in life, borrowing money to create a false bubble of ideal hollywood style happiness.