I am a student (uni) so I will be returning home for the holiday break, but to be honest I am not looking forward to it.. it is not a very happy place unfortunately.. meanwhile I am surrounded by an endless stream of chatter from other students about how happy they are about christmas, being home, etc.. which is good for them, I'm glad people have happy homes and families to go back to... but when I think about my own "home", it sucks and it hurts the holiday season can be truly difficult .. I was wondering if anyone here can relate?

Sorry to hear your not looking forward to it. Holidays around my family are usually crazy, but i miss them.. I havent been home for christmas in years.. I hope you can make it through it ok and somewhat stress free!

Oh I absolutely relate. My "family" is just awful at holidays (trips to the hospital, nervous breakdowns, picking my mother or my father, etc...) and at 24 and living with my DB, I beg and plead with him to just stay home every year. I actually got my wish this year and am spending Christmas with him, the cat, a turkey, 24 hours of A Christmas Story, and my tree.

I am beyond excited.

I realized at some point that I actually love the holidays, but I just had to start making my own "Chirstmas" and not let others- even family -decide my experience year after year. It was much better once I took it into my own hands. I hope you can get there soon

I can sympathize too... Christmas with my dad is wonderful, but Christmas with my mom and her side of the family is... well, less than pleasant. I haven't seen or spoken to my mom since Christmas two years ago because of the fight we got into, but she still expects me there this Christmas... Apparently we made an agreement to see each other every other Christmas which only she remembers.

Anyway, try not to let it ruin your holiday. Try to make the best of it, if possible... Just try to remember that this isn't every day, you just have to make it through x number of days with your sanity and you'll be fine. And like Jen said, look forward to the day you can start to celebrate the holiday on your own time, in your own way.

If you can make some of your own traditions that involve friends or family that you enjoy being around, that might help you feel better about the holidays. I don't spend as many holidays with my family as I used to, and thats fine with me, I enjoy cooking with friends, playing games, and making something new out of it.

Thanks girls. I am planning to keep busy somehow these holidays so I hope that keeps me occupied...

Junebug, that sounds great. I hope you enjoy your christmas

Happy holidays everyone