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The Dark Side of Christmas, Explained with Holiday Cookies
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The Dark Side of Christmas, Explained with Holiday Cookies

The Holiday Season: Joys and Consequences

Impact of the Holiday Season on Health and Spending

  • The holiday season is often associated with weight gain; while the average person may gain only one pound, those already overweight can gain upwards of 5 pounds.
  • Americans spend significantly during the holidays, averaging $830 per person, leading to a total retail spending of $66.9 billion in November and December.
  • A cultural note reveals that 72% of Americans believed in Santa as children, but only 31% continue this tradition with their own kids.

Environmental and Economic Considerations

  • Approximately 83 million Christmas trees are cut down annually in North America and Europe, taking 7 to 10 years to regrow.
  • Christmas tree fires result in an average property damage cost of $17.5 million each season, highlighting safety concerns during the festivities.
  • The average household incurs about $367 in energy costs for Christmas lights, contributing to financial strain during the holiday period.
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It's not all twinkly lights, wrapped presents, and Yule logs. Uncover the darker side of Christmas from the 83 million trees that get chopped down to the $616.9 billion spent in November and December. Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? ►► http://wrd.cm/15fP7B7 CONNECT WITH WIRED Web: http://wired.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/WIRED Facebook: https://facebook.com/WIRED Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/wired Google+: https://plus.google.com/+WIRED Instagram: http://instagram.com/WIRED Tumblr: http://WIRED.tumblr.com Want even more? Subscribe to The Scene: http://bit.ly/subthescene ABOUT WIRED WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. Through thought-provoking stories and videos, WIRED explores the future of business, innovation, and culture. The Dark Side of Christmas, Explained with Holiday Cookies