I have no family contact for many years through my own choice to 'put myself first' to allow myself to have a life free from their abuse and to live in a place where i am free to grow as a good person, to experience love and caring so i could also give these qualities to others. I found that place with my late partner, I never regretted cutting contact, and have spent the past 7 christmases alone since my partner passed away, ok they are quiet, but I look around and see all the stress, anxiety and financial difficulties that christmas brings then think how lucky i am not to have any of these thrust upon me any more.
The real meaning of christmas is to celebrate the birth of a child born many years ago, not to live up to the expectations of others born since.
I say my own personal thanks to that child in my own way and am very happy with that way as it is much less damaging to me than running up the credit card spending vast ammounts on unwanted gifts and having my emotions crushed to a pulp by a horrid family!
I spent christmas doing things i like for myself as i believe to care for others you have to first care for yourself.
This may sound selfish and ok it may be but it is the only way i know to keep me well.