Has anyone ever decided just not to do Christmas? I usually just force myself to get through it and deal with everything but every year I feel like it gets worse and I am really struggling mentally this year. I don't have kids, although we are trying after having a miscarriage last year, and I know when kids are on the scene it's different. But at the moment it's just me and my husband going to various family gatherings and everything about it triggers my anxiety. I can't stand the secret santa gifts, being forced to eat what is provided and staying over at other people's homes (in-laws as they live far away from us) and having to spend every waking minute with them. I definitely need my own time and I just feel like I am launched into this frenzy every Christmas and I don't think I can keep doing it for the rest of my life. My husband goes along with the big family gatherings but isn't hugely bothered about them. We have discussed doing holidays over Christmas and New year but they're just so expensive. I would like to just disappear for the whole thing and act as though it's not happening. Is this unreasonable/unrealistic? Genuinely interested to hear what other people do to manage their mental health over Christmas.