Money Worries, Mental Health, and the Pressure to Spend During the Holidays
As the air gets colder and the holiday lights start to twinkle, many people feel a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and excitement. But for others, this season comes with something heavier: stress, anxiety, and a gnawing pressure to spend.
Everywhere you turn, from your inbox to Instagram to the endless scroll of ads, you’re being told to buy now. Black Friday deals scream urgency. Holiday gift guides subtly imply your love is measured in price tags. There are also unspoken ‘rules’ or expectations amongst family, friends, and even co-workers. The message is clear: spend more, give more, show more.
But what if your bank account says otherwise?
When Holiday Cheer Comes With a Price Tag
Money worries are one of the most common sources of stress year-round. During the holidays, this stress is magnified. For people living paycheck to paycheck, carrying debt, or struggling with rising costs of living, the season of giving can feel like a season of guilt and comparison.
You may feel ashamed that you can’t give your kids the gifts they want. You may feel guilty when your coworker gives you a gift that you cannot reciprocate. You might stretch yourself financially just to feel like you’re “keeping up.” You might be silently carrying anxiety about how you’ll afford it all come January.
All of this weighs heavily on the heart and mind; in a season that celebrates light and hope, the burden of financial worry can feel even more isolating.
Black Friday and the Myth of “The Deal”
Black Friday has become more than a shopping day. It’s become practically a cultural holiday. For some, it’s a chance to save money on things they’ve been planning for. But for many, it’s a carefully orchestrated trap of impulse buying, emotional spending, and fear of missing out.
Retailers know how to create urgency. “One-day only!” “Flash sale!” “Only 3 left!” These aren’t just marketing lines; they’re designed to hijack your nervous system and make you feel like you’re losing something if you don’t act fast and right now.
And if you’re already dealing with money anxiety, these tactics only increase your stress. You may feel compelled to spend money you don’t have just to feel like you’ve taken advantage of a “good deal.”
But here’s the truth: a deal isn’t a deal if it’s causing you mental or financial distress. Saving 30% on something you didn’t need is still spending 70% more than you should.
The Mental Health Toll of Holiday Consumerism
The emotional cost of all this consumer pressure is real—and often invisible.
– You may be losing sleep over credit card balances.
– You might find yourself snapping at loved ones out of financial stress.
– You might be struggling with internal shame or a voice in your head saying, “I should be able to give more. I should be doing better.”
Here are some of the mental health impacts people experience this time of year to show that you are NOT alone:
Anxiety
Trying to juggle your finances, plan gifts, navigate sales, and meet expectations can send your nervous system into overdrive. Constant decision-making and overstimulation (especially online) can leave you feeling on edge.
Shame and Guilt
You may feel like you’re not doing “enough”—not giving enough, not decorating enough, not being enough. This emotional burden is often heavier for parents, caregivers, or anyone who feels responsible for someone else’s joy.
Depression and Loneliness
Financial strain can lead to isolation. You might decline invitations to avoid spending money or feel like you can’t participate in holiday activities. This can trigger sadness and loneliness, especially when it seems like everyone else is celebrating effortlessly.
Burnout
You might be emotionally exhausted from trying to meet everyone’s expectations financially, socially, or emotionally. The constant pressure to show up, give, host, and perform can lead to deep burnout, especially if you’re not taking time to rest and reset.
All of this makes it more important than ever to take care of your emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and to remember that your worth is not measured by what you can buy or how much you make.
Finding Ground in a Consumer Culture
So how do we find peace when the world is telling us we need to spend more to feel more?
Here are some ways to step out of the rush and realign with something deeper:
#1: Take a pause and pray
Before jumping into spending decisions, pause. Take a breath. Invite God into your decision-making. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach.” Ask for discernment not just in money matters, but in managing expectations and guarding your heart.
#2: Redefine What Giving Means
We live in a culture that equates giving with purchasing. But Scripture teaches that the most valuable gifts are often unseen: love, compassion, presence, encouragement.
Romans 12:10 reminds us, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” A handmade gift, a letter, a shared meal; these can reflect something meaningful and loving that money cannot buy.
#3: Set Healthy Financial Boundaries
Give yourself permission to say “no” to spending, to expectations, to emotional pressure. Creating a simple budget for the season and sticking to it is an act of self-care and stewardship. It also teaches those around you (including children) that love isn’t limited to material things.
#4: Turn Down the Noise
Unsubscribe from marketing emails. Log out of social media if it’s triggering comparison or spending urges. Create intentional quiet with a space to reflect, pray, journal, or simply breathe. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to rest and reconnect with the Father. We need that too.
#5: Celebrate What Truly Matters
The holidays are meant to be a celebration of God’s greatest gift—Emmanuel. The pressure to buy and consume distracts us from this central truth: We are already loved, already enough, already redeemed. You don’t have to manufacture joy or buy belonging. It’s already been given to you.
A Gentle Reminder
If you’re feeling overwhelmed this season financially, emotionally, or spiritually, know that you’re not alone. And more importantly, your value does not increase or decrease with your bank balance.
The world may try to sell you the idea that joy comes in a package. But as followers of Christ, we know true joy isn’t found under a tree or in your shopping cart. It’s found in a manger.
Need support?
If financial stress is affecting your mental health, please consider talking to a trusted friend, pastor, counselor, or financial advisor. There is no shame in asking for help. God is the perfect being to turn to especially in the tightest seasons—and there is a sure hope ahead. And He is with us even now! Jesus is our HOPE.
The compassionate team of licensed therapists at Fully Health Clinic, sponsored by Oak Health Foundation, is here to walk with you whether you’re supporting a friend or facing your own mental health challenges. Contact us here or at +1 877-553-8559 to schedule a confidential appointment and take the first step toward healing and hope.
If you found our resources useful, please consider donating to Oak Health Foundation, which is a 501(3)c nonprofit dedicated to providing resources regarding holistic mental healthcare and subsidized treatment for those in need
