You can't. Any time you tell someone you don't want to be with
them, it's going to hurt a little. So depending on how understanding
your family is, you could try the blunt truth -- your desire to
start some of your own traditions with your kids and friends, and no
holiday driving.
If this logic won't fly with your clan, and you value family
ties, then you'll have to do the compromise thing. If you have the
stamina and really love a party, or two, you could try inviting the
grandparents and relatives over for Christmas Eve and stay home for
a quite dinner on Christmas Day, with your kids and friends. They'll
either accept and you all win, or they'll decline, but at least you
asked. Another option is to create a holiday rotation schedule: one
year friends, the next year family. |