Why Do the Holidays Become Less Exciting As We Get Older?

Photo via Lea Papakosmas ‘26

The holiday season is starting to sprinkle in. Decorations surround us, the snow begins to fall, and it is time to focus on the joy in our lives. However, with every new year, the magic and holiday spirit fade more and more.

As we get older, our lives become more complicated. More responsibilities arise, and it can make the jolly holiday season turn into stress. “I think we forget to take the simple enjoyment in holidays,” said Carina Pascucci ‘26. “As we get older it gets a little more stressful when organizing gifts for people, so it's hard to focus on the actual purpose of the holidays.”

Already managing finals week, finding transportation home, getting gifts for your loved ones, and making time to get into the “holiday spirit” can be very challenging to make a priority.

“Finals lead right up to winter break, and I feel like I can't actually enjoy the season until after it's over,” said Pasucci.

Children do not need to worry about saving up their money, finding a way home, or studying for big exams. The main priority for a child during the holiday season is to format the Christmas list they want to send to Santa. “When I was younger I would get so excited and used to circle things I wanted in toy magazines and then write it all down on my Christmas list,” said Julia McAree 26’.

Christmas presents were so exciting to receive as a child. That physical object can bring instant joy whether that's a new Barbie doll, a small electric car, or a stuffed animal. It can make a child filled with glee.

However, now as a young adult, knowing who those presents are actually from can make Christmas lose that sparkle.

“When I believed in Santa the holidays were very exciting,” said Sofia Orsino ‘26.

According to CNN, 85% of four-year-olds and under in America believe Santa is real. When they fall asleep, they trust Mr. Claus is going to slide down their chimneys to leave presents behind for them under the tree. However, once a child reaches around the age of eight and up, only 25% still believe in Santa Claus and the other 75% come to realize the big guy in the red suit is just a magical myth.

“I found out Santa wasn’t real when I was in fifth grade,” said Pascucci. “The magical aspects of the holidays were definitely diminished a bit.”

Overall the holidays are catered to a child's interest. The millions of toys gifted, having a personal elf on the shelf to watch over them and make sure they are being good, and believing Santa travels from the North Pole to come and drop off gifts sculpted just for them creates such a special feeling.

But as we get older, the holidays feel less important to prioritize. It can turn into more of a chore than enjoyment and that sparkle fades away.

“The magic of the holidays does not feel the same,” said Orsino.