Holidays are the most wonderful time of the year…WRONG. Holidays are filled with stress, panic, anxiety, delayed flights, and so much more. How can that be the most wonderful time of the year?

The amount of money spent during the holidays is insane, and it continues to rise every year. According to PwC, 35% of shoppers plan to spend more money than they did last year. Whether it’s worrying about buying the perfect gift for a loved one, or getting the perfect outfit to wear on Christmas, holiday spending can tremendously add to already stressful budgeting.

Not only do people stress about spending money on the perfect gift, but paying bills and the overall price of living have excessively gone up as well. According to Statista, the average spending each year has almost doubled since 2000.

In addition to the rising money being spent during the holidays, traveling increases too. In 2021 over ½ of US consumers traveled for the holidays after being cooped up in their homes for months in 2020. This year a predicted 47% of US consumers plan to travel this year even with all the traveling concerns like gas prices, traveling costs, flight cancellations, staff shortages, long lines, and even illnesses like COVID-19 and Influenza.

Not only can money and traveling be big stressors during the holidays, but even visiting family can be agitating as well. Senior Matthew Kliethermes feels this way.

“The most stressful part [of the holidays] is going to all the events because there is always some sort of prep to do [like] getting ready on time, loading the car, driving to our destination, and then interacting with a bunch of people. Just to load the car, say goodbye, and leave.”

Kliethermes finds spending too much time with his family members can be very stressful, especially with the get ready, arrive, and leave scenarios he has in his family’s holiday traditions including, their Christmas eve party, a Christmas morning brunch, and a Christmas day dinner.

“My least favorite part [of the holidays] is having to interact with so many people for so long,” Kliethermes stated.

Holidays are not only stressful for teens but for adults as well. English teacher Amy Adam finds the toughest part of holidays is, “getting all the food cooked and the presents wrapped,” for her three kids, ages 8-15. Since having children, Adams’ holidays have looked a little different.

“We really try to make sure the holidays are special for them and that we maintain traditions that they will remember and, hopefully, even carry on in the future if they choose to have children,” Adam said.

This can put a lot of pressure on ensuring the holidays are exceptional.

Some stress about traveling and money but others stress about making sure the holidays are perfect for their children. Whether it was because they want to make up for underwhelming holiday seasons as kids or they just feel the need to make it superior, it puts a lot of pressure on a person.

In addition to having children, being a teacher adds to the holiday stress as well because of the 1st semester ending going into winter break.

“As an English teacher, I am usually in major meltdown mode right as the semester is ending. I have hours and hours of grading that I never think I am going to get finished, and sometimes don’t get finished until break, which is not ideal because we also have to plan our second semester classes during break,” Adam said.

Whether it’s the increased amount of spending, cleaning, or moving from one house to another, holidays are far from being the most wonderful time of the year.