I know it might not be easy, but I would rather spend Christmas alone than with people who hurt me. In fact, that's what I've done since 2004: I've either spent Christmas (and every holiday) working, at a friend's house for dinner, or alone. More often alone than not.

I'm not pretending that it isn't the loneliest feeling in the world sometimes but it is preferable to being with people who only drag me down and make me feel badly about myself...you know? At least you can control what you do: Watch whatever you want, read, eat good food, go for a walk in the snow, eat ALL the chocolate, go for a drive to look at lights. Whatever.