hey, whatever floats your boat.

jewish people have been disregarding christmas for thousands of years, and they seem okay.

LMAO

Boycott away!   I am not offended in the slightest.  I hope you will not be offended by a funny cat picture, of "Catmas" (I know, I am incorrigible with the cat pictures)...

Fair enough. We will actually be away on vacation the actual day (returning home on Boxing Day) so won't be doing a traditional Christmas, but we will be doing the family thing on New Year's Day in lieu. Not a boycott, though, just celebrating in a different way than usual.

Mendalla

Instead of working Serena-go on a holiday somewhere!

Actually, I went on a holiday for Easter. But I broke up with my bf a couple months ago so I would have to go alone and I don't want to go alone. So I'd rather work.

Sorry to hear that, Serena.  I hope you will be feeling cheerier in the New Year.

  My problem with boycotting Christmas is that i dont know how to tell my sister

Do whichever you want -- celebrate or not how you want.  Your culture is full of gems that you can find out by digging deep.

You can follow whatever delusion you want, that the saviour of humanity was born on December 25th, that we are supposed to buy and love each other beyond all other means on December 25th, that we are supposed to cherish the fact that the days are going to be getting longer and longer around December 25th, whatever you want :3

(you might want to try out celebrating differently each year, say try out Kwanza one year, IKEA-FEST another year...)

Being an iconoclast, creating one's own norms, though, can be tough, but is worth it, I think :3

You better tell your sister quick, serena . . . Christmas is on the horizon.

I don't know how close you are to your sister, can you just tell her that you are feeling out of sorts and just want to hibernate?   I know that wouldn't work in all families.

My question is this: six months or a year from now will you look back with regret or not? If you think there is even a remote possibility you will look back with regret, then you might want to to rethink this.

Good point, somegal.  If it will seriously offend your sister and perhaps other family and you value those relationships...   

It is hard to say, without knowing the people involved.  Some people would understand, others might get all offended.  

I don't see a problem with you spending a quiet reflective Christmas at home. I would suggest that you let your relatives know gently about your plans and let them know that you will see them sometime in the new year.  It seems to me that you need time to heal from your breakup.

No the break up isn't bothering me.

I think its more of I am tired. I have two jobs and I am going to school full time. I haven't like Christmas since my Dad died and don't see the point of it anymore.

The last two Christmases I did not draw a sober breath. It looks like I will be doing that again. My niece just had a baby and I think everyone will be greatly offended if I don't show up. So I will show up with my bottle of whiskey like last year.

And maybe I do need time to heal. Its hard to watch everyone being happy if u r not. Hence the whiskey.

I thot I'd be announcing an engagement this Christmas instead I will b drunk. But next year I will work. I will get out of Christmas yet.

I don't know how far away your niece lives from you, but perhaps you could just go for a shorter length of time this year?

i would leave the whiskey at home, too...

it sounds like you have enough on your plate.  adding 'recovering from alcoholism' might be a bit much.

I agree with Sigh.

Serena,

Your sister's dad died too.

Showing up drunk doesn't deal with the problem.

Enjoy your time with your extended family. Really. You are not all alone in the world.

Serena, so much depends on what type of person your sister is.  Can you just tell her the truth and will she be understanding?  Just like you have done here?

Another thing you could do is arrange for a Skype visit over the holidays, if you and your family have the right hardware.

Sigh

Being drunk for three days does not make one an alcoholic

perhaps not, but being unable to deal with a situation unless you have a few drinks first certainly does.

Follow your heart, Serena, and all will be well.

Sighs my family is the only situation that I can't deal with.

At least I'm not like Dr House and drug my family cuz I don't want to deal with them.

hey, all i'm saying is that imho you may want to think twice about getting all liquored up.  if you choose to do so, you certainly won't be the first to have to drink to get yourself through a family function, nor will you be the last.

its just my opinion, nothing more.

I am enduring. But I am sober. Held my nieces baby most of the night so I couldn't get up to refill my glass. It is possible the family planned this. Iiked holding my great nephew. Also tired tho as I was out drinking all week.

Serena, be sure you don't get like this

Actually, Tabitha my sisters Dad did not die. We are half sisters. Diff dad

I stand corrected Serena-Your sisters lost their mother-when you lost yours.

I'm glad you enjoyed holding the baby.

May next year bring you further along the road towards your goals!