Why are holidays more work than work?

In the US holidays are a bit of a problem for most people. Stress increases as people are forced to separate themselves from their work addiction and spend time with family. It is common to hear stories of dysfunctional gatherings where fights break out or resentments simmer or expectations are failed triggering sadness. People are excited to get back to work as soon as possible. Why is this? 

First, I think it is a function of the Protestant work ethic gone awry. In this country the culture rewards overworking, so that people neglect relationships and other sources of potential meaning in their lives. Then when the holidays interrupt their work patterns, it creates a mini-crisis as they are confronted with the thinness of their lives.

I would guess that this tendency is more pronounced among people of Anglo-Saxon heritage, Protestants and white people generally. Other cultures seem to have a healthier relationship to family and free time. 

For the record, my family had a pretty good Thanksgiving this year, but I was caught surprised by that fact. I also noticed some sense of impending dread in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, which this time turned out to have been wrong. In places like Brazil, Latin America, Africa and the Mediterranean I get the impression that people have more holidays and have more fun during them than we in the US do. If so, why is this and what can we do about it? If not, why do I have that impression? 

I think we need to reexamine our relationship to work and to make sure that we are regularly taking time off to spend time with friends and family. It's a habit that I think needs cultivation here, and a value that we should strengthen.