How do I tell my family I don't want to celebrate Christmas anymore?

Question

Since the people of CC are the most honest I'm coming here to see what you guys think. If I'm being an asshole I know you'll tell me I am.
Long story short - I'm not ready to tell my family I've been practicing the Wiccan religion. However I do want to celebrate Yule this year instead of Christmas. I know its possible to fit them both together but... the thought of it literally drains me. I don't want to be involved in anything Christmassy this year. They go so over the top with their holiday traditions and I don't know how to tell them that I don't want to take part this year without upsetting them. I'm not even close to any of them and I feel so out of place every time we get together. It's like they purposely try to make me feel shitty about myself.
I know you guys don't know my family, but how would you do it if you was in this position? Or should I just do both to make them happy, even if I know I'll be unhappy?

Answer

Could you take part in a few of their less-stressful Christmas traditions and not the rest? Sort of a phase out? And just for the rest of it you can just say thanks for inviting me but I have other plans.

Answer

For me personally I don't have a religion but my family raised me Christian. I still celebrate Christmas but don't involve any religious parts of celebrating it. I just view it as a family day where you're thankful and give to others, but I don't talk about being non-religious to my family

Answer

Eh, I don't consider my holiday events  as celebrating the actual holiday.. I just see it as family/food  time .......Do you live alone ? if u do just don't show up.

Answer

Pretty much all of the traditional Christmas-ey things are pagan anyways so it’s not difficult to incorporate your own beliefs in with what they’re doing. 
Every Christmas before I go to my family’s place, I set time aside for meditation and prayer. I also go over the holly king and oak king story. Then when I go to my family’s, I just mentally point out all of the pagan things. The colors, the tree, gifts, food, all of it. 
If you want, you can also incorporate a short ritual before or after too. 
I’ve found doing this takes off a bit of the stress. My family makes me feel the same way, so I get it :/

Answer

Be honest. Families can be difficult and stressful, but it's hard on you to have to hide who you are and how you feel. If you can compromise on anything, give them that. As you can, let them in on your own celebrations, or at least give them the option so they know you aren't turning your back on them, just Christmas.

Answer

I know how hard this is having changed my religion in my early 20s. For a while I tried to still involve myself in Christmas for the sake of my family but in the end I had to admit it just didn’t work. On my part it was half hearted because I didn’t really believe in what I was doing, and on their side they couldn’t understand why I wasn’t committing like I used to. So in the end I withdrew from the whole event and keep my distance from my family around that time. My advice would be to be honest with yourself and your family from the start. It will be hard for all of you but really it’s the best way in the long run. Best of luck.

Answer

I am Wiccan as well and even though I still do participate in Christmas, I did think of telling them I didn't want to. I would just tell em straight out that you don't want to celebrate Christmas anymore.

Answer

If I didn’t want to celebrate a holiday, I’d book a vacation around that holiday. 
However, I do think you’ll feel so much better if you come out to your family.

How do I tell my family I don't want to celebrate Christmas anymore?

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