The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and togetherness, but for anyone who has to deal with a narcissist, it can end up being a very tumultuous time. Narcissists do look forward to the holidays, but for very different reasons. For them, it’s not about finding joy in connection, giving, or shared traditions; instead, it’s about finding ways to exploit the occasion for their own purposes. So today, I want to talk about not only how narcissists make the most of the holidays but also how you can protect yourself from their manipulations and the chaos they love to create at this time of year.
Of course, avoiding them entirely would be best, but for some people, that is not an option or preference. So, this video is for those who have to deal with a narcissist over the holidays—be it Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, etc. This video will hopefully help you recognize their tactics and hold on to the joy that they will try to steal.
How Narcissists View the Holidays
Let’s first look at how narcissists make the most of the holidays. A priority for them is Emotional Manipulation. The holidays are packed with emotional energy—love, nostalgia, and even stress from rushing around and preparing for the season. Narcissists are very aware of this and use it to their advantage. They might guilt-trip you into spending time with them, buying them gifts, or manipulating the festive spirit to gain attention. After all, it’s a time of giving and love, so why should they be excluded? Emotional games will be rife as the narcissist tries to extract as much attention and validation as they can.
Also, if the narcissist has been absent for some time, this is the season for narcissistic hoovering. They are hoping your heightened emotions or familial obligations will make you more susceptible to their return.
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