You’ve almost made it through December!
This time of year can get a little over-the-top (even when things are going well). Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from seriousness and enjoy something light, weird, and a little funny.
So in the spirit of giving your brain something delightful to chew on, here’s a highly official, extremely scientific investigation nobody asked for:
Which Christmas characters would make the best peer support workers?
How We’re Ranking Them
This list uses a sophisticated rubric composed of the qualities that make a great peer support worker, and then applies them to fictional beings who did not ask for this job.
We’re testing characters on things like:
- How well they hold space
- Their active listening skills, and
- Boundary skills (or lack thereof)
These are the metrics.
Are they fair? Absolutely not.
Did I literally just make them up because? 100%!!
Let’s begin.
10. Clark Griswold
Christmas Vacation
Peer Support Rating: 0/10
Clark is a walking OSHA violation.
He has the heart of a golden retriever and the emotional regulation of a malfunctioning snowblower.
If he facilitated a group, three things would happen immediately:
- Something would catch fire
- He’d yell at the ceiling
- Someone would get hurt
It’s not that he’s malicious, he’s just catastrophically chaotic.
9. Jack Skellington
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Peer Support Rating: 2/10
First things first – It’s a Christmas movie AND a Halloween movie. I don’t want to hear it.
Jack means well. He really does.
But this is a guy who hears one new idea and immediately decides to rebuild society from scratch. Imagine him in peer support:
You: “I’m feeling overwhelmed lately.”
Jack: “INCREDIBLE. Let’s turn the office into a musical haunted therapy labyrinth.”
He’d add ambiance, for sure. But attunement? Not so much.
8. Kevin McCallister
Home Alone
Peer Support Rating: 3/10
Sharp kid. Creative thinker. Absolutely dangerous.
Kevin would hear, “We need to create a sense of safety,” and immediately set up a flamethrower trap.
Also… he’s eight and solves all emotional problems with violence (for good reason).
He’d run the most intense peer support program ever created.
Probably illegal.
7. The Grinch
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Peer Support Rating: 4/10
He’s got lived experience — big points for that.
But he also…
- Steals things
- Disappears when upset
- Insults strangers
- Eats garbage
- Monologues
He's the coworker who’s brilliant but unpredictable.
Would occasionally hold a great group… then leave halfway through and take the snacks with him.
6. Frosty the Snowman
Peer Support Rating: 5/10
Warm energy, cold infrastructure.
Frosty is kind, patient, and truly supportive… until someone turns up the thermostat.
He melts under pressure… literally.
Halfway through someone's share, you’d look over and see a carrot floating in a puddle.
Sweet guy. Just fragile.
5. Yukon Cornelius
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Peer Support Rating: 6/10
Chaotic good. Zero filter. Big “stands too close” energy.
He’d show up on time, enthusiastic, and ready to help…
But every session would be derailed by him licking metal objects and announcing, “SILVER AND GOLD!”
Is he stable? No. Is he lovable? Absolutely.
4. The Old Man Parker (Ralphie’s Dad)
A Christmas Story
Peer Support Rating: 7/10
Your classic grumpy-softy combo.
Acts annoyed. Secretly cares deeply. Definitely mutters under his breath, but still shows up.
He’s the facilitator who pretends he doesn’t like the group, but remembers everyone’s name and makes sure the radiator works.
Low-key dependable.
3. Buddy the Elf
Elf
Peer Support Rating: 8/10
Pure serotonin in a green suit. He listens… kind of.
Mostly he stares at you with wide, hopeful eyes and yells encouraging things at inappropriate volumes.
Would bring snacks.
Would bring ENERGY.
Would interrupt your trauma story to talk about syrup.
But you can’t deny the heart of gold.
2. Cindy Lou Who
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Peer Support Rating: 9/10
Cindy Lou Who is the emotional backbone of Whoville.
She’s gentle but steady. Curious but not intrusive.
She sees the real you,even when you don’t see yourself.
If she ran a group, people would leave feeling calm, understood, and probably holding handmade cookies shaped like stars.
Why didn't she get a ten? Similar to Kevin… She’s a child (2 years old depending on what movie you’re watching).
1. George Bailey
It’s a Wonderful Life
Peer Support Rating: 10/10
The undisputed champion.
George Bailey has the emotional range, lived experience, compassion, and deep human understanding of someone who could talk a whole town off a ledge.
He feels deeply.
He listens fully.
He sees people.
He knows what it’s like to break down and get back up.
The perfect 10.
Bonus: Santa Claus
A Christmas Peer Support Worker Honorable Mention
Peer Support Rating: Unlimited
He checks in often. He gives personalized support plans wrapped in shiny paper. He remembers your entire history.
A bit boundary-blurry (“he sees you when you're sleeping”), but hey, commitment is commitment.
He’s not on the Top 10 list, but he gets a cameo.
Santa energy is undefeated.
Conclusion
If you’ve made it to the end of this list, I hope it gave you a small exhale, a moment to laugh at the season instead of being swallowed by it.
You’ve carried a lot this year, whether people saw it or not.
So take this as permission to enjoy something light, something silly, something that doesn’t ask anything from you.
And hey… at least now we all know George Bailey would run the world’s best support group.
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Until next time, I’m Jeff Turner, and remember to take care of yourself, however that looks to you.