With the holidays fast approaching, moms and dads all over the world are struggling to create the perfect Christmas. Whether it is finding the newest toys, attending a festive recital, or creating a fairytale-like ambiance, it all falls on the shoulders of the parents. Needless to say, it might become tiresome at best.

In fact, according to a 2021 C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll, kids and parents themselves tend to create unrealistic expectations, which might be difficult to fulfill. That often increases stress; however, families still find a moment to giggle amid the chaos. And there are plenty of tweets that prove it.

In order to remind you that there is no perfect way of dealing with the holidays, we have gathered some of the funniest Christmas vs. Parenting struggles. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy these tweets!

#1

Image credits: simoncholland

When it comes to holidays, parents have similar ways of perceiving the season itself, as well as prevailing expectations and main stressors. Based on the aforementioned C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital report, nearly all of them (96%) perceive the festive season as an overall joyous time; however, 18% state that the levels of stress tend to rise during the period. The poll also discovered that one-fifth of parents believe that their children have unrealistic expectations for Christmas. One-fourth admit that they’re guilty of having similar expectations of themselves.

The report indicated six main stressors that have an impact on parents’ well-being during the holidays. They include extra shopping and errands, keeping the family healthy, household finances, planning for gatherings, making special meals, and criticism from family members about holiday plans. If any of these sound familiar, do not worry, you are not alone in battling the less-glamorized aspects of the festivities.

#2

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#3

Image credits: simoncholland

Despite the abundance of holiday-themed songs, surprisingly few describe parents’ actual musings during Christmastime. Such as pondering what the perfect gift for your child is - a headache parents face every year.

Based on the findings of the Gift Decisions by Kids and Parents research, kids name TV as the most common source of ideas for Christmas gifts, followed by the influence of friends. The researchers came to this conclusion by analyzing letters to Santa, the best advisor for any puzzled parent.

#4

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#5

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In addition to the struggles of choosing the perfect gift, families also worry about expenses. The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital report states that 29% of interviewed parents describe household finances as one of the main stressors during the holidays.

Based on these entertaining tweets, kids seem to be oblivious to Santa’s Little Helpers leaving empty parcel boxes around or hiding presents in their closets. They are, however, very insightful when it comes to holiday spending and gifts.

#6

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#7

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#8

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Being on one’s best behavior to avoid a lump of coal on Christmas Day is not an easy task for anyone. Research on What Makes for a Merry Christmas? carried out in the Journal of Happiness Studies surveyed people aged 18 to 80 to determine how different factors affect their emotional state during the holidays. Even though 74.8% of the respondents rated their level of satisfaction above neutral, 43.6% of them agreed on relating this time of the year to stress.

#9

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#10

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#11

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As cozy and serene as it often seems in movies or magazines, a family Christmas might actually become quite a quest. Such gatherings are usually followed by a to-do list, including holiday shopping, lots of planning, and meal prepping. These worries were also listed in the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital report, with shopping being the most prominent stressor (31%). It was followed by planning the function (23%) and making holiday meals (22%).

#12

Image credits: not_thenanny

#13

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#14

Image credits: RYGdance

In addition to creating the perfect Christmas Day for the entire family, parents have to deal with festive customs leading up to it. From placing the magical Elf on the Shelf to going through the ultimate patience test trying to unravel the Christmas lights. It is often by trial and error that they learn what holiday-related mishaps might arise each year. Be that as it may, with the use of technology, they can share giggle-worthy stories and find solace in the support from other parents. And Twitter is undoubtedly an excellent platform for that!

#15

Image credits: RodLacroix

#16

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#17

Image credits: mommajessiec

These hilarious Tweets only prove that festive misunderstandings happen to the best of us. And no parent is an exclusion! Despite all their effort and intricate planning, there might always be something out of their control. Nonetheless, cases as such can become amusing family folklore or quality online content at least.

#18

Image credits: oneawkwardmom

#19

Image credits: lmegordon

#20

Image credits: XplodingUnicorn

All things considered, personal input to make the holidays a more pleasant experience for parents and children alike is never a bad idea. Whether it’s coming up with new family traditions or having a Christmas movie night, a small gesture might go a long way. Creating holiday cards, building gingerbread houses, or decorating the Christmas tree together are also great options for some quality family time!

#21

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#22

Image credits: TheCatWhisprer

#23

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It might be difficult to avoid holiday stress but there are, however, ways to reduce it. Respondents of the Mott Poll Report shared their methods of coping, the most popular of which was spending some time alone. Out of the interviewed parents, 71% chose this as their way of releasing tension during the festive season. Others turned to music (55%), exercise (46%), religion (28%), help from family members (23%), and work (15%).

#24

Image credits: Lhlodder

#25

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#26

Image credits: AnAppleHat

The unexpected wittiness of the little ones in the family often also works like an antidote to the holiday stress. A snarky remark or financial advice coming from a six-year-old is destined to either make you giggle or re-evaluate your entire expenditure. Consequently, parent blogs and social media accounts become a boundless source of such utterances. And an excellent supply of serotonin.

#27

Image credits: sarcasticmommy4

#28

Image credits: Thatmidwestmom

#29

Image credits: mcdadstuff

When it comes to Christmas, some parents would argue that it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Luckily, there are outlets for their at times hilarious frustrations and ways to connect with fellow moms and dads out there!