I can't stand Christmas Eve dinner

That is interesting OP because i have to spend hours making small talk and pretending to care about the lives of family members and "friends of the family" who I only see once a year and don't really like. I get snide remarks from some of them, so I don't think they like me that much either.

I could just stay home and not attend, but I would get crap from my parents and grandparents. One positive: lots of tasty, free food!

People you have to put your foot down. No more stupid holidays! Never again. From this day forward we'll never do things in clumps.

Stomach virus, no one wants to be around someone with a stomach virus. You have to come up with a new illness next holiday . Stay home, visit the parents next week.

put yourself first on this day,
dont go into guilt
then
GO TO VEGAS

If you are a slave to what others think, you will never be happy and you wont be able to find your true purpose

I have to work.

^^^Tough !!!!^^^

If I have to suffer....
So should everyone else. Suck it up.

but thats just it YOU DONT have to go if you dont want to

it is YOUR CHOICE

If you choose to be a SLAVE TO OTHERS
that too is your choice


unless its a tit for tat
if you go, you will get rewarded in the future kinda thing

But who is really in control in that situation?

most everyone has a dysfunctional family.

I found. Import knowing imnktthe only one who goes thru that exact same thing

They save up their rudeness for the one time a year I see them and let it all out on me

Walk around smelling of drink with your junk hanging out.

They never visit again or invite you.

Only kidding.
Nobody knows better than me that I'm not doing anything I don't want to, did exactly that most of my life. Now well into my 60s, you kind of soften up. For some situations anyway.

Yeah, I learned that one from an uncle of mine when I was a kid. My mother and father would sarcastically bring up how he always got really sick that time of year.

Nope...
That didn't work either.

Turns out we all had the same idea.

It's right about now that I'm truly thankful that I'm free of all this bullshit.

All of my family either passed away or moved away. I don't have to deal with this crap anymore.

Sure, I miss it a smidge. But I realized I only missed the idea of the perfect Christmas celebration, and because it was "familiar" - not because it was a great family experience.

Now I listen to other families having meltdowns and smile to myself - I don't have to do that anymore. I'm free!!!

Last Edited by Zen & Z on 12/24/2016 11:45 AM

I guess I have a different point of view. Someone I knew for over 12 years just died in the hospital from an infection that spread to her organs. I wish I had the luxury of not caring, consider yourself lucky I guess. The more you love, the more you lose.

yeah, my family moved too - miltary. They move every 3 years.

So we have a FaceTime Christmas. When I get enough, I hit the red hangup button

If I know it's going to turn into bullshit, I just don't go. That's not what the holiday is about. I have my own Christmas dinner now. My immediate family is happy and content.

I do miss the old days when life was simpler. We used to be so tight as a family but the brainwash has done a number on a lot of people. I hope one day we can act civil for the good of everyone involved.

I still call and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

You know, I love Christmas but it is a lot of responsibility. Like today, I have been making desserts. I have problems with my knees and it takes a lot of energy. What I can't deal with are other peoples contrariness on Christmas. Like they don't want to do a thing but sat on their fat asses and always looking to eat. Since, my mom died in '93, my Christmas hasn't been the same. She was the main spoke in the wheel at Christmas time. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

It's interesting how one bad apple can ruin the bunch, I am talking about this one cousin of mine who is just plain mean and finds a way to insult everyone around her without being too obvious about it so you can't just say FU. I feel bad for my cousin-in-law who was targeted tonight.

If it weren't for her, things would be a lot easier.

Did I mention she is raging liberal?

Sounds like a basement dweller...go out and do something. Your excuse for not being there - you are in a different country. Do that and see the family every decade and they will not give you shit at all when they do see you.

Deny the holocaust that will ensure a life of being left alone in a christian family.