The holidays are built on connection: shared meals, familiar traditions, inside jokes, and the small moments that bring people closer. For many adults, cannabis has quietly become part of those gatherings. Not as the focus, but as a companion that helps people slow down, be present, and enjoy time together.
At its best, cannabis can encourage ease, openness, and laughter — the ingredients of genuine connection. During a season that can feel hectic, it’s no surprise that many turn to it for grounding moments and good company.
Here’s the science and the heart behind why and how cannabis brings us closer and feels so community-oriented this time of year.
The Social Science of Cannabis
While every person’s experience with cannabis is unique, there’s solid science behind why it can feel especially supportive in social or seasonal settings. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors involved in regulating mood, stress response, sense of ease, and overall emotional balance.
The ECS is always working in the background, helping the body maintain a state of internal equilibrium. When cannabinoids engage with this system:
- THC can stimulate certain receptors associated with mood, sensory perception, and a general sense of presence or openness.
- CBD interacts with the ECS in more indirect ways, which many people experience as steadying, grounding, or calming.
- Together, they can create a shift in how the moment feels. Sometimes softer, lighter, or more relaxed, depending on dose, environment, and individual tolerance.
This doesn’t mean cannabis “creates” connection, and it’s not a treatment for stress or social discomfort. Instead, it may support a state of ease where conversation flows more naturally, laughter comes easier, or time slows down long enough to actually enjoy the people you’re with.
During the holidays, when emotions, schedules, and social dynamics can be a lot, that gentle shift can feel meaningful.
Shared Experiences That Bring Us Closer
Some of the best holiday memories aren’t the big moments — they’re the small, shared ones. Cannabis often fits naturally into those pockets of time.
🎄 The Classic Holiday Walk
Fresh air, bundled-up jackets, and a quick bowl or pre-roll on a neighborhood stroll. It’s a moment of reset before or after the holiday chaos, a tradition many adults look forward to.
🍽️ Post-Dinner Unwinds
Once the dishes are stacked and the house quiets down, a shared smoke can turn into deep conversations, storytelling, or simply laughing over family moments from the day.
🎬 Movie Nights & Holiday Marathons
Pairing cannabis with a nostalgic movie night can make familiar films feel new again, especially when shared with friends, siblings, or cousins you haven’t seen in a while.
🎨 Creative Sessions
From decorating cookies to building gingerbread houses to crafting, cannabis can enhance the creativity and playfulness of the moment.
💬 Low-Pressure Hangouts
Sometimes it’s simply passing a joint in the garage, on the porch, or around the living room that creates those quiet, grounding pockets of togetherness that make the season feel real.
Cannabis doesn’t create the connection on its own, but it often helps set the mood for it.
Mindful Moments During the Holidays
The holidays can bring joy, but they can also bring pressure: schedules, travel, expectations, crowded gatherings, and emotional weight. Mindful cannabis consumption can help some adults approach the season with more ease and presence.
A few grounding principles:
- Start low and go slow — especially around family or mixed groups.
- Stay tuned into your body and your surroundings.
- Choose terpenes that support the vibe you want: bright, cozy, calm, or social.
- Create a comfortable environment with warm lighting, soft seating, or fresh air.
- Keep communication open with the people you’re with.
When used thoughtfully, cannabis can support a sense of calm and centeredness that helps you enjoy the people and moments in front of you.
Tips for Consuming Together
Whether you’re hosting or joining a holiday gathering, here are a few simple ways to make cannabis part of the experience responsibly and respectfully:
🌿 Know Your Group
Gauge comfort levels. Some people love cannabis-friendly gatherings, while others prefer to keep things non-consumption–focused. Respect goes a long way.
🕯️ Set the Tone
Create a warm, relaxed environment with good music, snacks, cozy seating, and airflow if needed.
🙌 Share Mindfully
If you’re sharing flower or pre-rolls, keep things clean, intentional, and gratitude-focused. Pass only if everyone is comfortable.
🥤 Hydrate + Snack
Simple but important, especially during long evenings or festive events.
🚗 Plan Ahead
Arrange transportation, designate drivers, or keep sessions home-based. Responsible consumption makes the holiday better for everyone.
Staff Picks: High Spirits Edition
A few ER team favorites this time of year:
- Gigi: “Any Treeworks Live Rosin packed with terps to share with my cousins.”
- Liz: “Sweet, citrus-forward profiles like Hella Jelly, they just feel like the holidays.”
- Rachael: “Moonbutter from Tower Three for those cold evening walks after dinner.”
Staying Connected All Season Long
Cannabis, at its core, is about experience, and shared experience is at the heart of the holidays. Whether you’re catching up with old friends, bonding with family, or simply finding small moments of calm, cannabis can help support presence, ease, and connection when enjoyed responsibly.
Here’s to staying present, connected, and lifted in all the right ways this season.