I know it sucks when family acts like that. It makes the times when you supposed to at least get along dreadful.

How about making a new or different holiday tradition by focusing on others? What about going to a local food/soup kitchen and help serve the homeless? It'll make the holiday more personal for you.

I know last Christmas, Wolflady and her hubby weren't able to go home for Christmas and they were alone. I believe they went to church and then to serve the homeless and had a very nice time.

When you get older, holidays change a lot, for the same reasons and it only get complicated. That doesn't make it easier to deal with though. Hopefully you'll be able to find something to make that day/weekend special.