The weekend passed I was in a shopping centre and saw some shop girls dressed as elves who looked as grey and downtrodden and exhausted as I imagine the actual toy making elves would if they existed. It really eats at your seasonal cheer to see such glittery festively dressed people looking like they're on their way to chuck themselves off the roof.
Also, "Stop the Cavalry" is a slightly depressing song to play over the internal speakers. I actually like it as a song, but it's not much good for the cheery mood you're trying to aim for as a business.