The Realities of Christmas: Balancing Joy and Expectations

The Realities of Christmas: Balancing Joy and Expectations

From With Both Hands by Laura Hadcroft & Clare Thorpe

December 1, 2025 · 1h 6m · Season 1 · Episode 7

About this episode

This episode explores the pressures of Christmas for mothers, focusing on emotional labour, societal expectations, and the pursuit of a more genuine holiday experience.

In this episode of With Both Hands , we examine the quiet pressures that build during the holiday season, particularly for mothers who carry the weight of both family expectations and wider societal narratives. Christmas is often framed as a time of joy, yet for many it brings overwhelm, exhaustion, and the sense of having to hold everything together while trying to keep everyone happy. Expect reflections on the emotional labour that intensifies in December, the loneliness that can sit beneath the surface, and the tension between genuine connection and the consumerism that so often dominates the season. We explore what it looks like to step back from the performance of a “perfect Christmas” and move towards something rooted in intention, presence and personal values. This episode invites listeners to ease the pressure, rewrite old narratives and create a holiday experience that feels more honest, humane and grounded. --- Connect with us both on Instagram @laura.hadcroft , @clarethorpe_ and @withboth_hands ---

People in this episode

Hosts: Laura Hadcroft, Clare Thorpe

Topics covered

  • Christmas
  • emotional labour
  • family expectations
  • consumerism
  • holiday experience
  • intention
  • presence

Keywords

  • Christmas
  • emotional labour
  • family
  • expectations
  • consumerism
  • holiday
  • connection

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