Why I Finally Stopped Hosting Christmas After Years of Doing It Alone
This year, something in me shifted. As the holidays approached, I realized how uneven the arrangement had become. I wasn’t upset about hosting; I was tired of carrying the entire load alone. So, for the first time, I spoke up. I suggested that everyone chip in—either by contributing food, helping with costs, or simply lending a hand in the kitchen. The response was quiet and uncomfortable. One comment lingered the longest: since the gathering was at my house, it was only fair that I handled the cooking. That was the moment I understood how invisible my effort had become.
After sitting with that realization for a few days, I made a difficult decision. I let everyone know that I would not be hosting Christmas this year. I expected questions, maybe even offers to help once the reality set in. Instead, there was silence. No one volunteered to host. No one suggested a shared plan. The holiday gathering simply dissolved. At first, I felt guilty—like I had ruined something important. But beneath that guilt was a quiet sense of relief I hadn’t felt in years.
