My husband and I don't skip the holidays every year, but this year we are taking off. We're renting a house on Vieques, a small island off Puerto Rico. We'll be back on the 26th, so we'll see our family at that time.

We dream of disappearing over Christmas, but alas, both our families would freak out.

We do try to get away for New Year's, since NYE in NYC is such a complete nightmare. The past two years we've gone to the Poconos, and this year, we're off to an all-inclusive in the Bahamas.

Previously said the same thing on another post, but my dad died during Christmas a few years ago so now we don't celebrate it - instead, we just go on holiday. Usually we try to go somewhere hot and exotic, but this year, we're going to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. I absolutely hate Christmas, so being somewhere new makes it easier.

I did for Thanksgiving this year. Me and the boyfriend hopped a bus for Vancouver, BC and had a blast. I haven't done it yet for Christmas as I find prices for travel that time of year cost prohibitive on my meager budget, but I would definitely love to.

Last year, my mom and I took off to Mexico for Christmas. The rest of my family were really supportive, and I think this year a few of them are following suit.

I have a couple elderly and sick relatives at home who will likely not be around next year, so I'm sticking around for this holiday season.

I was just thinking about this yesterday. I'm not religious and I have no little kids, can't I just skip it?

I would love to skip the holidays this year. I'm just very meh about them. It seems like lately are more work then enjoyment. I'm not sure I could do it without offended a few family members, mainly my grandmother.

I'm an ER nurse, and I have to work holidays--it's mandatory to work either Xmas or New Years, and no one is allowed to take vacations in December. My family used to all work weird schedules too (Dad was a caterer, for example) and so an after-holidays holiday was always what happened. I actually enjoy working on Xmas: less patients, and the ones you have tend to be really sick, so you really feel like you're making a difference. Also, I kind of enjoy the hospital holiday dinner they provide for staff.

If I wasn't working, I'd LOVE to go away. I know my husband would. But my dad is retired, and he LOVES making a big deal out of the holidays, so while he's still around, we'll be doing them with him.

since i was 20 or 21, i've skipped the holidays. it helps that my family doesn't actually celebrate anything, although they know i have time off from work and they want to see me. i do sometimes take the winter holidays to visit friends in my old college town (which is a much more pleasant holiday experience for me) but this year i'm working in honduras, so no holiday and no vacation for me.

working on it.

Yes! A couple of times. Brazil with Friends, Vietnam and Mexico solo.. I am single and don't come from a big holiday-lovin' family. My favorite was Mexico. Going out for mole' in Oaxaca with new friends for Christmas dinner, while Mexican families were out taking a Christmas evening stroll. I saw all love and tradition in Mexico at Christmas, without a bunch of tacky excess advertising and pressure like at home! It was festive and fun!

my dream holiday is a holiday itself - no in-laws!

I would love to skip the holidays since I find them stressful, but my husband is from large close-knit family and wouldn't hear of it.

I also did this for Thanksgiving and it felt like a burden was lifted off. I usually am in charge of the main dishes, so I know my family was in shock and probably upset that after many years, I decided to take a vacation. I went camping with my boyfriend instead. There was a fair amount of work packing + cooking, but it was nice it was just the two of us and we rewarded ourselves with our last night in a really nice hotel. I don't know if I could do this every year, but this year, it felt right.

Taking the kids on a camping road trip throughout Florida (and no, not anywhere near Orlando.) I have always been cynical about the holidays and we have been moving towards this over the years.

About 2 days after I got back to work after last year's holidays, I realized that I was exhausted from traveling across the Southeast and Midwest to see all the family and friends, my back was out from all the car-riding, and I had spent too much money to be feeling so tired. So, right then and there, my girlfriend and I booked a Thanksgiving vacation to the Caribbean. We got back about a week ago and, I assure you, while I love Thanksgiving, I had a much improved holiday experience!

No, there are too many little ones in my family and I really, really enjoy being with them. There is no stress as we decided long ago NOT to exchange gifts. It just didn't make sense as adults and there are way too many little ones to just buy for the kids so we gather, eat, make crafts and play games. We do this on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, every does their own thing and me being single, I stay home and watch movies or go to one.

My family is doing a lot of bickering this year, which is no different from any other year, but for the first time someone is considering calling off the holiday get-together altogether. If that happens, I'm taking my 9 days off work and going to ride a train cross-country, which I've always dreamed of doing. I actually missed a whole bunch of holidays during my mid-twenties and at this point feel obligated to make it up to my mother, but if someone else pulls the trigger on the whole thing I'm not complaining.

Surfing in Nicaragua with my wife and 6yr old daughter. We invited family to come with, but they all took a pass.
Can't wait to fly out on the 21st.

This year I went to a spa in Wisconsin with a couple of friends for Thanksgiving. We had an awesome time -- and we were very "thankful"

For the past ten years, my immediate family has always run off to Qatar during the holiday season to get away from the hectic holiday madness in my country. I personally like it since I don't need to go to so many parties or meet up with relatives I don't really care about. And the holidays are quiet and laid back enough that we can have a proper rest before going back to work/school after the New Year.

My husband and I are not skipping Christmas this year per se. He graduates from law school right before Christmas and we'll be moving our furniture and other stuff down to my apartment (we live 200 miles apart right now). So our Christmas will be spent together in our place and learning how to live together again after 2.5 years apart. Fortunately, our parents are okay with this arrangement. We discussed driving to see them for New Year's, but I don't think it will happen this year.

Dunno if this counts, but last Christmas my boyfriend and I left freezing london and headed to sunny Bahamas where Im originally from. It wasnt escaping per se, as of course we celebrated Christmas there with my family, but it was so different from what he was used to (as well as me as I hadnt been home for christmas in YEARS). We spent christmas morning and early afternoon on the beach recovering from a hangover. Such a great memory, this has inspired me to write a blogpost about it possibly...

We opted not to fly across oceans to be home for Thanksgiving several years ago and instead hosted an expat Thanksgiving party at our home in Liberia, West Africa. It was the best Thanksgiving either of us have ever had! Next time, we're thinking maybe to try doing our own thing for Christmas...

I love my family but I don't love regimented holidays. My husband and I are running away together the Christmas, and about time too.

We went to the Caymans for Thanksgiving the second year we were married. My MIL couldn't stand it and prepared a second complete meal when we returned. We haven't tried that again, and now that her health is failing, we're trying to make the most of whatever time we have left.

My partner and I spent last christmas in Mexico at a tiny place with no electricity. It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever been on, which I needed so badly after my crazy work schedule. We loved skipping out on everything christmas related, and are going back to the same place again this year, but for ten days rather than seven, so we'll be there for new years as well. I can't wait. I love not being in the US for the holidays.