It’s hard to avoid drama during the holidays, whether it’s something light, like burning the muffin tin or a fight that leaves your mom and brother without speaking to each other for five years. But as they say, Christmas means tragedy plus time. After a while you will be able to laugh at these things.
Even though experiencing a “missed Christmas” can sometimes be intense, it usually becomes at least the excuse for a good story. With this in mind, we asked several young people to share their Christmas horror stories.
On Christmas Day, my family started unwrapping presents when my mother’s phone started ringing. It was my ex, crying in front of the door, after he had come without saying anything before. He was dead drunk and his mother brought him here to talk to me.
My mother invited him and his mother because she was feeling sick and they ended up staying for an hour. I started crying because I was drunk and I didn’t want him there. Even the aunt, the father and the grandfather were crying, because it was the first Christmas without the grandmother. His mother was crying too. It was a total disaster.
On Christmas Eve 2019 I was in a pub and things got intense. The next day I woke up, went down and the atmosphere was quite strange. I went into the kitchen and my mother asked me “Do you know what you did last night?”. I had no idea.
Apparently, during the night I wanted to go to the bathroom while I was sleeping, but instead I entered the room of my brother, who was sleeping with his girlfriend, and started peeing in the corner of the room.
My brother’s girlfriend woke up, thought it was him and asked “What the hell are you doing?”, then realized who I was and started screaming. When my brother woke up, he was in “What are you doing, get out of my room” mode. Then I went back to bed, knowing nothing of what had happened.
I bought some flowers for my brother’s girlfriend.
Suddenly we hear heels. It was the mother, who had gotten drunk in the last corridor and dressed in my sister’s black dress. He rang the bell and came to introduce himself to everyone, then plopped down on the sofa in full view. For years I blocked this memory because it was the most embarrassing moment of my life.
I think this happened 15 years ago. It was Christmas Eve and I went into my stepbrother’s room around 11pm at night and started singing Christmas carols really loud and being really annoying. My brother opened the door, told me to shut up and go to hell, then slammed the door in my face.
The bottom of the door hit the big toe of my right foot and broke it. I spent the first few hours of Christmas Day in hospital in a wheelchair.
This was when I was 15 or 16, I mean, old enough to get my hands on something. It was around 9am on Christmas morning. My brother told me to go ask my parents what they wanted for breakfast, because one of our traditions was to bring our parents breakfast in bed.
I didn’t knock on the door, I went straight to their bedroom and saw dad putting everything in mom’s mouth. It wasn’t great, that image haunted me for the rest of Christmas.
I was helping prepare the meal with my mother-in-law, after which I went down to see what my husband was doing. He was on the PC. As I pass him, I notice he was in a video chat with a woman. He immediately closes the screen and I’m like, “What are you doing? It’s actually Christmas! Who are you talking to?” He replies “Oh, I’m Jenna, we’re really good friends and I like her a lot, but not in the real sense That“. I ask him “Are you cheating on me?” and he says “No”.
The next day I was on my iPad and found a YouTube playlist called “Sam and Jenna Game Time” or something like that, so I went to him again and asked him how long he’s been in this relationship. He kept teasing me, saying, “Can’t I have friends? Why are you doing this?” I said I don’t want to do it right after Christmas, but I’m getting divorced in two days.
Now I’m divorced and I can’t believe what happened. Very embarrassing. How to get scammed in a video game?,
My roommates and I threw a secret Santa party and within two hours we were driving around town collecting each other’s belongings. We started unwrapping the gifts and of course everyone received all sorts of games and nonsense.
When I unwrapped my gift, I came across a box of live grasshoppers from the exotic pet shop near our house. I don’t think I’ve ever been so horrified by a gift in my life. I took them back to the pet store but they said they couldn’t refund my money.
— Emma, January 21
What are some common sources of stress that lead to holiday drama in families?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Holiday Drama Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the world of holiday drama, a theme that many can relate to during the festive season. To help us navigate this often chaotic but memorable time of year, we have Dr. Claire Jensen, a cultural psychologist who specializes in family dynamics during holidays. Welcome, Dr. Jensen!
Dr. Jensen: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the wild and sometimes tragicomic experiences that arise during the holidays.
Editor: So, let’s jump right in. Your field of expertise often covers how families react to stress during the holidays. Why do you think holiday gatherings can turn into such dramatic experiences?
Dr. Jensen: Holidays bring together a mix of emotions—joy, nostalgia, and sometimes grief. For many, this can be a pressure cooker situation. Factors like unresolved family issues, expectations, and past traumas can turn a simple gathering into a scene that feels all too dramatic.
Editor: Exactly! In a recent article, we shared some outrageous Christmas horror stories from young people, like the one where a family member drunkenly shows up uninvited, leading to tears and chaos. What’s your take on such unexpected disruptions?
Dr. Jensen: Those scenarios highlight raw human emotions. Alcohol can lower inhibitions and exacerbate unresolved tensions, as seen in that story. The presence of an ex at a family gathering can stir up feelings of loss, anger, or nostalgia. It’s complicated; families often forget—especially in moments of stress—that everyone in the room carries their own baggage.
Editor: Right, and while these moments might feel unbearable at the time, they often turn into funny stories later on, like when someone inadvertently pees in the wrong place after a night out. What does this say about our ability to cope with holiday mishaps?
Dr. Jensen: Laughter is a powerful coping mechanism. It allows us to diffuse tension and makes it easier to process embarrassing or painful moments. Over time, the intensity of those situations diminishes, and what was once a source of discomfort can become a cherished memory or anecdote.
Editor: It’s so true! Many families have their own ‘horror stories’ that they joke about during later celebrations. They become part of the family lore. How can families foster discussions around these misadventures when they resurface?
Dr. Jensen: Communication is key. When families share their stories, it can become an opportunity to bond and reflect on how they’ve grown since. Acknowledging the laughter that comes from those experiences can create a shared sense of resilience, reminding families that it’s okay to embrace imperfections.
Editor: Speaking of resilience, how can families prepare for the potential drama that can come during holiday gatherings?
Dr. Jensen: Setting realistic expectations is crucial. Recognizing that not every moment will be perfect, and being ready to embrace the chaos can lighten the mood. Encouraging openness and even setting light-hearted ground rules—like ‘no politics at the dinner table’—can help create an environment where family members can feel safe sharing their feelings, without judgment.
Editor: Great insights, Dr. Jensen. As we approach Christmas, what is your advice for anyone worried about potential holiday mishaps?
Dr. Jensen: Embrace the unpredictability of family gatherings! Approach the holidays with humor and an open heart. Remember, it’s the shared experiences—good and bad—that forge stronger family connections. And who knows, the messiest moments may just turn into your favorite stories to laugh about in the years to come.
Editor: Wise words indeed! Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Jensen. Here’s to a holiday season filled with laughter, love, and just the right amount of drama!
Dr. Jensen: Thank you for having me. Happy holidays!