Psychologist Julia Nikas notes that the wait for the New Year holidays can trigger feelings of despair and a sense of drained energy. The sense that time has moved forward while personal plans remain unfinished can cast a shadow over the season. In analyzing how people feel at year’s end, she emphasizes that the moment of reflection is not a moment to compare progress with others but an invitation to acknowledge personal milestones and celebrate the gains that were achieved, no matter how small they may seem. This approach helps to maintain emotional balance and a constructive mindset as the year closes.
The discussion also touches on the enduring cultural figure of Santa Claus, recognized as a symbol of the possibility of receiving gifts for behaving well. From a developmental perspective, children often regulate their behavior in response to such cultural scripts, aiming to meet parental expectations and to align with the social norms associated with the season. This dynamic can support positive self-regulation and the formation of hopeful, goal-directed behavior in young minds, offering a useful framework for guiding conduct during the holidays.
Nonetheless, there are situations where the Santa Claus encounter may be distressing for a child. This possibility was highlighted by Professor Lyubov Grigorovich, Doctor of Psychology and head of the Department of Educational Psychology at the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis. Her observations suggest that while the tradition can be a valuable teaching tool, it can also provoke anxiety or confusion in certain children, underscoring the importance of sensitive and responsive approaches by parents and caregivers during holiday interactions. In such cases, counseling and supportive dialogue can help children process their feelings and reconnect with the festive spirit in a way that feels safe and reassuring, as noted in clinical discussions on child development and family dynamics.