You know, I used to think it was really terrible and depressing to spend holidays alone, but I've gotten to a point where I really enjoy it. My narcissistic mother always had to have everything controlled and perfect, and much of the rest of my family are jerks in their own ways. Holidays were always so stressful.

Now, I can do whatever I want. I ate cheesecake, stuffing, and ice cream for Christmas dinner last year. I wore my pajamas all day and didn't even bother to brush my hair. I watched Netflix and knitted. It was great.

Other holidays, I've spent with family of choice. In 2011, four online friends with crappy came to visit me, and we had our own "family" Christmas. This year, I'm spending Thanksgiving with a dear friend, her partner, and their son.

I have SO much less holiday stress now that I've stopped buying into the cultural idea that it's bad not to spend holidays with your family and reframed it as a way of freeing myself from that stress.