The holiday season has transformed from a time of meaningful connection into a marathon of exhaustion for many families. Dr. Marti Erickson’s insights on ‘Holiday Overload’ aren’t just helpful suggestions—they’re an essential prescription for reclaiming what truly matters during this season. The relentless pursuit of picture-perfect celebrations has created a culture where parents and children alike collapse under the weight of expectations rather than experiencing genuine joy.
The Destructive Pursuit of Holiday Perfection
American families have fallen victim to what can only be described as ‘holiday maximalism’—the belief that more activities, more decorations, and more elaborate celebrations equate to more meaningful experiences. This approach fundamentally misunderstands how memory formation works. Research from the Center for Childhood Creativity shows that children retain emotional memories most strongly when they have time to process experiences, not when they’re shuttled from one activity to another.
Consider the case of the annual ‘Enchant’ Christmas light show that travels to major cities. Families spend upwards of $100 for tickets, battle crowds for parking, and navigate overtired children through spectacular but overwhelming light displays. Parents report spending more time managing meltdowns than enjoying the experience. The Instagram photos look magical, but the reality often involves exhausted parents and overstimulated children who can barely remember the event afterward.
Dr. Erickson’s recommendation to leave more unstructured time than scheduled activities directly challenges our cultural addiction to constant stimulation. This isn’t just about avoiding tantrums—it’s about creating the psychological space necessary for meaningful experiences to take root.
The Physiological Reality of Overscheduling
Holiday overload isn’t just a matter of preference—it has measurable physiological consequences. When children (and adults) experience sensory and schedule overload, their stress hormone cortisol rises. Sustained elevated cortisol leads to irritability, sleep disruption, and immune system suppression—precisely what families don’t need during winter months when illness already circulates widely.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has documented how overscheduled children show signs of stress similar to overworked adults. During the holidays, this problem intensifies. A 2019 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 38% of people reported increased stress during the holiday season, with
