Breaking FREE from the Insanity and Stress of CHRISTMAS COMMOTION with Positivity and Integrity! (Includes POLL)

POLL: How Do You REALLY Feel About Christmas Commotion?
I am totally into the whole Christmas thing and love splurging and gorging. OP needs to die.
I like time with family, enjoying food, and a few special gifts
I grin and bear it and go through the motions because I have to.
I get blown away wasted and manage to get through it somehow.
I manage to endure it somehow, but am secretly planning a five state ax murder spree all the while
I already do not observe Christmas for religious or cultural reasons.
I am broke and cannot afford Christmas anyway
I am proactively stepping away from or drastically scaling back on Christmas this year
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Husband and I have completely and proactively taken control of our lives and simply stepped aside from any and all Christmas commotion.

Anyone can do this! Even if you believe you "have" to participate, you too can take positive control and step aside from the insanity.

Start now, before Thanksgiving! Let every word out of your mouth regarding Christmas be gracious and positive.

State simply -- first to family, then to aquaintances -- that in the interest of simplicity and good mental health you are just stepping aside from any involvement in Christmas. Announce it like the good thing that it is --positively! -- just like you would announce that you have quit smoking, lost 30 pounds of excess weight, or gotten a promotion.

You are not only liberating yourself, but liberating others!

Wish good cheer and a happy day to all who choose to observe it. Emphasize simplicity, reflection, and de-stressing when you discuss your own choices.

Plan your own wholesome, solitary activities -- or lack thereof -- for Dec 25th! Taking a hike in the quiet woods, go birdwatching, or curl up and read a good book. Rake leaves or prepare ground for a spring garden. Cut firewood, paint the shed. Go running, or work out with weights. Clean house, or do home repairs undisturbed.

Make it your day for quiet, contemplative activity or relaxation that puts you in touch with nature or the simple humdrum rhythms of life.

Graciously thank everyone who invites you to Christmas events. Forthrightly explain that you appreciate the invitation, but that you have other plans. And you do have other plans! Satisfying ones!

Don't get up on some high horse about it. Explain your choices simply and forthrightly.

If the discussion gets around to giftgiving, just plainly, firmly, and kindly state that you are not giving any. AND state that if anyone mistakenly gives you a gift, that you will first offer it back to them, and if they refuse it, that you will donate it -- unopened -- to a local charity.

Hold firm, and do not give in to emotional blackmail, threats, or whining. Hold your ground, then hold it all the firmer. Get to where you can speak from the heart, the mind, the rational intellect and the gut all at once, and with conviction upon the subject. This may take practice, but it can be done, and done in good spirit without malice.

Yes, you will have to earn your freedom. Your decision will likely "cost" you broken family relations... with the people who don't give a shit about you anyway!

You will likely find yourself much respected by the few people whose opinion you really care about.

You CAN reclaim your integrity! Just graciously say 'Thank you, but NO thank you' to Christmas commotion.