A variety of conflicts can be activated in the period from Thanksgiving to New Year. The season has many connotations of family closeness: ambivalence in the relation between father and son, holiday relaxation in the function of the superego, magical expectations from Santa Claus, and connotations of childbirth. Ferenczi noted that at the time of holidays the superego may exercise additional restraint as a reaction-formation against 'holiday wantonness'. The season has a sensitizing effect on those who have problems in accepting affection; the syndrome is an exaggeration of this pattern. The idea that one is a helpless, rejected child becomes dominant, with strong inclinations to invite further rejection. Because Sundays and holidays are times of special family closeness, they are likely to cause regressive behavior.