Is Singing Under the Christmas Tree Psychologically Recommended? A Scientific Evaluation.

Abstract

Clinical Psychology in Europe CPE wants to present latest scientific findings, but also highlight their societal impact, and practical relevance. Following the tradition of our first three years, we integrate these aims in a special Christmas editorial, that can be taken seriously, but there is no need to be overly serious with it. Many European families build a Christmas tree into a living room, although this room was kept clean and proper for the other times of the year, and no dirt from outside was allowed. This surprising activity for inside decoration follows old Egyptian, Chinese, Jewish and Northern tribal traditions to put some green into buildings during cold winter days. However, it is unique that these trees seem to trigger some urgent need to sing along, preferably together in families. We will analyze whether, from a psychological perspective, it can be recommended to follow this urgent need, or whether we should give priority to stop this tradition. It is not easy to find someone who does not know at least one Christmas carol. Why is that? If anything, it suggests that singing under the Christmas tree is not particularly aversive. In fact, for most people singing is surprisingly fun; using a preto post-design to evaluate singing, your mood seems to improve (Schladt et al., 2017). And it is not the same if you just listen to music, singing yourself is what seems to do the trick (Kreutz et al., 2004). So, dig up all those Christmas carols from memory and sing to your heart’s content? Now there is one further ingredient that may make the festive singing so pleasurable. The positive mood effect is considerably increased by singing together with others