The Cost of Authenticity During Family Holiday Gatherings

Psychology Today | 23.12.2025 21:53
For many people, the end-of-year holiday season carries a distinctly spiritual quality. It is meant to slow us down, loosen the grip of everyday pressures, and create space for rest, gratitude, and reconnection. The common rituals of the season, namely shared meals, familiar traditions, and time with loved ones, offer a rare opportunity to step outside work roles and social demands, and to remember what (and who) matters most. At its best, the family holiday is about presence, generosity, and the simple pleasure of being together.