This College Student’s Christmas Wrapping Nightmare Is Taking Holiday Stress To A Whole New Level

For one 21-year-old college student, winter break is usually a welcome escape from classes and finals. But every year, the moment she steps off the plane, she’s greeted by a familiar holiday chore: wrapping every single Christmas present for her family.

Her family’s Christmas setup is pretty simple—just her parents, her seven-year-old sister, and herself. But simplicity doesn’t stop the holiday stress from creeping in.

Ever since her little sister could understand the magic of Christmas, she’s been the family’s go-to gift wrapper. Back in high school, it didn’t feel like a burden. She had plenty of free time outside school and extracurriculars, and honestly, she liked helping out.

But things changed once she left for college in another state. Suddenly, the family expects her to wrap all the presents late at night, right before Christmas. And by “late,” she means staying up until 1, 2, or even 3 AM.

Her parents justify it by saying they’re “too busy and tired” to wrap their own gifts. They also insist it’s important that her sister doesn’t see what’s under the tree ahead of time.

Her sister, meanwhile, has a notorious habit of staying up extremely late—sometimes well past 10 PM. So the timing of these late-night wrapping sessions often feels even more stressful.

To make matters worse, the family has a history of snapping when she protests. She’s been threatened with having Christmas canceled entirely if she refuses to wrap the gifts the night before. Apparently, if she complains, the blame would fall squarely on her.

She gets it—the adults are busy with full-time jobs. But she feels it’s unfair to sacrifice her sleep every year just to make the gifts “Christmas-ready.” She doesn’t mind wrapping presents in general—she just doesn’t want to be up until the wee hours of the morning doing it.

She’s even tried proposing a compromise. Since she usually gets home for winter break before her sister does, she suggested wrapping the presents during the day while her sister is at school. This way, no one would see their gifts until Christmas Day, and she wouldn’t lose precious sleep.

Unfortunately, her parents shut the idea down every single time. No negotiation, no middle ground, and definitely no understanding of how exhausting this is for her.

It’s left her wondering whether she’d be “the bad guy” if she finally drew the line. Is it unreasonable to say she won’t wrap presents if she has to do it at 3 AM on Christmas Eve? She feels caught between wanting to help her family and wanting to take care of herself.

Ultimately, it’s a classic holiday dilemma. The young college student loves her family and the joy of Christmas, but the timing and pressure of wrapping presents has become too much. She’s left questioning whether tradition should come at the cost of her sanity.

In the end, she just wants a fair solution—wrapping presents responsibly, respecting her parents’ rules, and still getting a full night of sleep. Christmas is supposed to be magical, not a test of endurance.

For now, she’s stuck in that awkward in-between, hoping her family will see reason before she’s forced to choose between joy and exhaustion.

The family expects her to wrap all the presents late at night, right before Christmas.

AI-generated image

Here's the original post by Reddit user 'sjwarise'.

So I (F21) am a college student going to university in another state from mine. Because of this, as soon as I’m done with finals for the fall semester, I usually go home for a winter break. Now, my family celebrates Christmas every year and for us it’s literally just my parents (M53 and F46), my sister (F7) and I.Ever since my sister was old enough to understand what Christmas was, I was the one wrapping gifts, even if I didn’t buy them. While I was still in high school, I didn’t mind because I liked helping out, and because I had a ton of free time when I wasn’t in school or extracurriculars.However, ever since I left the college, for some reason I’ve noticed that they get all of the presents that they plan on getting for themselves, myself and my sister like at least a week or two before I get home and want me to wrap them on Christmas Eve. They also expect me to stay up until 1, 2, 3 AM wrapping presents because they were “too busy and tired to do it themselves” and they don’t want my sister seeing what her presents are. I should note that my sister has this bad habit of going to bed extremely late (so 10pm or later).They have also, in the past, gotten extremely snappy with me and told me angrily that if I don’t do what they’re telling me to do they’ll cancel Christmas and tell my sister that it’s my fault that it was canceled when I tell them I am frustrated wrapping all of the presents that late at night and messing up the wrapping paper from being tired.While I understand are busy with their full-time jobs I feel like it’s unfair to expect me to do it the night before instead of doing it earlier and forcing me to sacrifice my sleep to get them wrapped. And I don’t mind wrapping them, I just don’t want to do them at 3 AM the night before.I have brought up letting me wrap them shortly after I get home while my sister is still at school, since I get home for winter break before my sister gets out for winter break, so that we basically have the same effect where she will never find out what she got until Christmas Day if I did it while she’s at school way beforehand. However, every time I have brought this up, they shut it down immediately.So, WIBTA if I tell them that I don’t wanna wrap them if I have to wrap them on Christmas Eve?

Managing Holiday Stress

Dr. Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale University, emphasizes that holiday stress can stem from unrealistic expectations we set for ourselves. She suggests that individuals should define what truly matters to them during the season, whether it's family gatherings, gift-giving, or personal time. Simplifying these expectations can significantly reduce stress levels.

By focusing on quality over quantity, students and families alike can create more meaningful experiences without the added pressure of perfectionism.

Here's how the Reddit community reacted.

Useful_Context_2602

NTA.

opinescarf

According to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, an emotion researcher, the emotional toll of holiday traditions can sometimes lead to what's known as 'emotional overload.' This happens when individuals feel pressured to conform to societal expectations while juggling their responsibilities. To combat this, she recommends practicing mindfulness and self-compassion.

By acknowledging one's feelings without judgment, individuals can create a more balanced emotional landscape, allowing them to enjoy the holidays rather than feel burdened by them.

"They had two weeks to wrap presents."

this1weirdgirl

"They need to be more organized."

Verbenaplant

"My mother did the same."

GingerSnap4949

The Importance of Boundaries

Dr. Gabor Maté, a physician specializing in stress and addiction, points out that boundaries are crucial in managing holiday demands. He notes that saying 'no' can be a powerful act of self-care. When it comes to wrapping gifts or attending every family event, individuals should assess their limits and prioritize their well-being.

Maté suggests creating a list of holiday commitments and evaluating which ones truly bring joy, allowing for a more fulfilling experience without unnecessary stress.

"Tell them you will skip christmas this year."

SnooSprouts2672

"Put the wrong label on things."

CakePhool

"Are your parents ill, or something?"

JenniferJuniper6

A relationship expert highlights that communication is key during the holiday season. Families often have unspoken expectations, leading to misunderstandings and stress. Experts recommend having open conversations about holiday plans and responsibilities well in advance.

This proactive approach can help clarify roles and reduce the chances of disappointment, fostering a more harmonious family environment. It’s essential to remember that holiday traditions can be adjusted based on the family's current needs and dynamics.

"Call their bluff."

Competitive_Ease6991

"Stand up for yourself now."

kl987654321

"Tell them to go ahead and cancel Christmas."

Meghanshadow

Effective Time Management Strategies

Dr. Stephen Porges, known for his work on stress and emotional regulation, advocates for effective time management to alleviate holiday pressures. He suggests breaking down tasks like gift-wrapping into smaller, manageable steps and spreading them out over several days.

By setting specific time blocks dedicated to these tasks, individuals can avoid last-minute rushes and the stress that comes with them. Creating a holiday calendar with designated times for shopping, wrapping, and relaxation can be a game-changer.

"Tell them you want to wrap them a week before."

Pkfrompa

"Don't wrap. It just goes into the landfill."

Ok-Crow-4948

"What a truly bizarre request."

witx

Dr. Carol Dweck, a leading psychologist in motivation research, explains that shifting our mindset during the holidays can profoundly affect our experience. Instead of viewing holiday traditions as obligations, embracing them as opportunities for connection and joy can reduce stress.

This growth mindset allows individuals to focus on the positives of the season, fostering gratitude and enjoyment rather than resentment or anxiety. Practicing gratitude through journaling or family discussions can also enhance the overall experience.

At the end of the day, it’s all about balance—family, tradition, and yes, sleep. Maybe this year, she’ll finally find a way to wrap gifts and keep her sanity intact, proving that holiday magic doesn’t have to come at 3 AM.

Expert Opinion

This college student's situation highlights a common psychological conflict: the struggle between familial obligations and self-care. Her sense of duty to her family, coupled with the fear of disappointing them, creates significant stress, especially when her needs are dismissed. It’s crucial for her to assert her boundaries, as setting limits can lead to healthier relationships and reduce anxiety during what should be a joyful time.

Psychological Framework & Solutions

As holiday stress becomes a recurring theme, it’s vital to remember that the season should be about connection and joy, not just obligation. By implementing strategies from experts like Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Laurie Santos, individuals can navigate familial expectations more effectively. Setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and fostering open communication can enhance the holiday experience.

Ultimately, prioritizing well-being and adapting traditions can lead to a more fulfilling holiday season, allowing everyone to enjoy the spirit of giving without the overwhelming stress.