The Dark Side of Santa

Here's the dark side of Santa we try to ignore. Christmas is that time of year when the suicide rate peaks. Most in need of suicide watch are psychiatrists and farmers. The myth that people are enjoying their families and friends over Christmas makes life miserable for those who feel left out. But cheer up. The festivities are a life-events stressor for many folk. Hard preparations, invasions by dreadful relatives, wrong pressies (50% of presents bought by Brit. men for their partners are returned after Christmas), naughty kids, family rows, heartburn and flatulence, car crashes, drunken fights, lousy TV and the spectre of debt can all combine to make this pagan ritual a grim time. If you're Green, it's even worse, because researchers have calculated the carbon footprint of your Christmas turkey: gigantic (CLICK). If you're in debt, click the title link for sound financial advice from Motley Fool in The Dark Side Of Christmas by Donna Werbner.