Unfortunately, yes. My mother (the family root) unexpectedly passed away 15 years ago, in September. Thanksgiving, and all of the holidays that year, were quite miserable. We even decided to have Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant that year. Actually, holidays have never been the same, since. I'll be happy to spend this Christmas in Czech Republic with my sister-in-law and her sons. I think if my siblings and I had had many kids, it might have been easier. My sister had two sons, but only one is still with us, and he's reclusive. My brother and I never had any. The whole "family dinner" idea is almost dead in my family, with our dad in assisted living and my siblings unwilling to host. My sister's house is basically a mild hoarder house (not her doing) and my brother keeps my dad's house a disaster, too, but he's more an obsessive hobbyist. Plus, they're both strange birds. I am, too, but am oddly the most "normal" of us. My house is always clean and tidy, but Hubby never lets me host more than four people. I still grieve.

Who has traditionally cooked the holiday dinners in your family? Has it changed over the years?