In Part 1 of our holiday series, we deck the halls...and then unpack why it never quite feels the way it used to.

Kristin and Laura get reflective (and slightly existential) about the bittersweet nature of Christmas nostalgia:
Why does the run-up feel more magical than the day itself? Why do we cling to rituals even when they’re imperfect? And why does trying to recreate the past sometimes leave us feeling… worse?

From the psychology of memory to neurodivergent holiday burnout, we unpack:

• Why nostalgia shapes our identity (and why we chase it)
• How memory editing gives us that “golden” Christmas feeling
• The emotional power of rituals, repetition, and stocking routines
• Why Christmas films hit so hard...and sometimes disappoint
• The grief of changing roles and lost traditions
• Gendered labour, family expectations, and “mum is the magic”
• Why childhood joy can feel both comforting and out of reach

This isn’t a Hallmark episode — but it is an honest one. With stories, psychology, and just enough glitter.

Bonus: Secret Santas, spy gadgets, and cream cheese + hot chocolate (trust us).