> I'm a grown adult. It's my choice. [...] I noticed how people around me were only doing things because they felt they had no choice not to. Stop doing thin

> I'm a grown adult. It's my choice. [...] I noticed how people around me were only doing things because they felt they had no choice not to. Stop doing things that you don't want to do. I'm a grown adult, so I opted out of every party that I didn't want to attend. I attended the parties that I would have attended had they been thrown for any other reason that wasn't Christmas. I enjoyed Christmas more this year than I ever have, not the least of which because I got fantastic gifts, and also gave some pretty good ones, but because nothing was forced. > My family are a pain in the ass to spend time with. I declined Christmas with the family. When asked, I just informed them that "We're just doing a quiet thing at home this year." Zero pressure. I don't mean to critique your Christmas opt-out in the least. It sounds like your situation is different from mine in that (it seems that) you're single, while I've got a wife and 12 year old. Whether or not opting out of Christmas is an option for me isn't really my place to say, but we did do a much quieter affair than usual, but do recognize that there are alternatives between "Bah humbug" and "full-on Christmas", and you're free to pick anywhere in the middle that you like, as well as opting out altogether, as you have done. Either way, Merry Christmas. I hope your time off was as good a gift as you hoped for. Sounds like a good one.