Every year, many of us try our best to get into the Christmas spirit. Yet, when we’re climbing up various objects to hang up festive lights or wrapping gifts with piercingly sharp scissors, we’re just inviting trouble.

It seems that 10 percent of Americans report injuries while putting up a Christmas tree, according to ValuePenguin. They conducted an online survey of more than two thousand consumers and asked them about their holiday season issues.

While the number of injured people might seem high, it’s down from 20 percent last year, and getting similar to the pre-coronavirus pandemic numbers. "One possible injury source: 18 percent admit to setting up their tree while they were drunk."

When it comes to the never-ending debate on whether a real or artificial Christmas tree is better, it seems that the former is typically a bigger fire hazard. However, both types can cause some potential risks: "Think overloaded sockets, faulty lights, overeager pets, lacerations from broken bulbs, etc."

While we’re talking about people who might end up on Santa’s naughty list next year, the majority of participants admitted to leaving the string lights on overnight, which can be a fire hazard. What’s even more concerning, 10 percent of consumers use lights that are quite old. ValuePenguin recommends to "double-check the wiring before you decorate the tree, especially if you’re using older lights."

Still, we’re not the only ones who can create dangerous situations in the house. Just think about the way your four-legged friends look at the tree decorations, plotting to do as much damage as fast as possible. 72 percent of pet owners said that their pets have knocked down their ornaments or the Christmas tree itself. 

Nearly half of those people reported damage caused by their furry companions: "It may be worth closing the door or finding a way to block them from getting near the Christmas tree when you can’t supervise their holiday behavior."

Holidays not only make us vulnerable to injuries and serious home disasters, but can also affect our relationships. When it comes to gift-giving, people say that it’s the thought that counts. However, when you receive a snow shovel, bait for fishing or a candle disguised as a champagne bottle, you can’t help but say "you really shouldn’t have!"

Earlier we spoke to Jeff Galak, an associate professor of marketing, about the main reasons people end up buying terrible presents for others: "There’s an odd cultural taboo that exists which makes people uncomfortable asking someone what kind of gift they want. But that taboo is entirely inappropriate." 

He added: "Gift recipients know what they want and they are eager to tell gift givers. There is nothing wrong with sharing that information and there’s nothing wrong with asking for it."

When we choose to get an original present that the recipient does not actually want, it might signal a lack of care. "If a giver gives a gift that isn’t well received, there is a chance that the relationship will be strained. Gifts act as a social lubricant that signals care for another person... but that is undermined when the gift is bad," Galak explained. 

So when you think about it, there are so many things that could go wrong during this special time of the year. Not everyone is able to handle the pressure to create a perfect celebration and still be thankful for the things that happened to us this year. We put so much importance on the vain side of Christmas, we forget to think of our values and priorities. 

American Psychological Association suggests some healthy tips that can help you manage your hopes for this holiday season. An important piece of advice would be setting realistic expectations when it comes to gifts and activities. Don’t try to tick off every single thing on your Christmas to-do list and don’t stress about the little details: "View any missteps as opportunities to exercise your flexibility and resilience. A lopsided tree or a burned brisket won’t ruin your holiday—it will create a family memory."

Also, remember to take time for yourself. If you’re feeling stressed, find the time to rest and recharge: "Be mindful and focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future." And most importantly, the holiday season is actually short, so try and keep things in perspective. If you feel overwhelmed with the amount of things you need to do, you will have time to do it after the festivities. 

If Christmas didn’t turn out the way you expected, it’s not the end of the world. Small mistakes are unavoidable and they might seem annoying at first. However, the sooner you realize that these little mishaps are not worth getting upset about, the sooner you can let out a nice laugh and carry on with the celebration.