By Juliette Savage

Every year, as the fairy lights go up, so do the expectations.

For young people—especially young parents juggling childcare costs, rising rent, and shrinking budgets—Christmas isn’t a season of joy. It’s a season of judgement.

You don’t have to look far to see the strain. Recently on Facebook, a young mum shared her Amazon wish list in a community group, asking for help to buy her children gifts so they “wouldn’t be disappointed.”

It wasn’t a plea for luxury—it was an admission of just how punishing December has become. The financial pressure extends far beyond presents under the tree.

Social media has turned Christmas into a month-long performance. We’re not just buying gifts—we’re buying proof that we’re doing Christmas “right”:

This curated Christmas isn’t simply expensive—it’s exhausting. It tells young families, pensioners, and........

© LBC