For those who live far away from their loved ones or have a strained relationship with their family, the festive season can be lonely.
But there are ways to make it better, even if you are on your own.
Clinical psychologist Kobus Du Plooy told Newshub it's "very understandable" to find the Christmas period difficult.
"It's that time of the year where a lot of people seemingly experience Christmas as festive and enjoyable, but that is not necessarily the case for everyone," Du Plooy said Christmas can not only make people feel more lonely but it can be an unwelcome additional challenge for people with mental illnesses.
"People look around and see people so happy and they just don't feel that way. For them, it feels like they're doing something wrong, which they're not."
Du Plooy said the holiday period is also a time when work and other distractions suddenly come to a halt - which can be a sobering realisation for some.
"You often find a lot of the services are not available, health practitioners are on leave and services are just low, so people can't see them or do what they would normally do," Du Plooy told Newshub.
"It just makes people a bit more susceptible to struggling through this period."
Du Plooy's advice for those spending Christmas alone
The clinical psychologist said we don't have to give in to the social pressure of celebrating Christmas if it makes us sad.
"There's no expectation, if it's something you don't want to do, you don't have to," he told Newshub.
"Just because you're hearing the Christmas music and seeing everyone else seemingly enjoying it, try to remember firstly you're not alone, there are other people who also hate it."
Du Plooy said another way to make the holiday season more enjoyable is to come up with a plan, especially if you know it's a difficult time for you.
"I always suggest giving yourself the best gift you can, which is to take care of yourself."
He also suggested making a list or planning activities to do throughout the day so it "doesn't catch you off guard".
Du Plooy did advise though to not "overextend yourself and feel like you have to do more than usual".
"Being active, like going for a walk can be very helpful, trying to still eat well and getting enough sleep can be very useful."
He added reaching out to a friend or someone on Christmas day for a chat over zoom or the phone can also help.
"It really helps if you can connect with others."
Organisations you can reach out to during Christmas if you're struggling:
Depression Helpline available 24/7:
- Phone: 0800 111 757
- TXT: 4202
- If it's an emergency, call 111.
National helplines:
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
- Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
- Samaritans – 0800 726 666
- Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Healthline – 0800 611 116