we had to do that as i worked every other holiday so we worked it out.. but in the end the other side of their families came first. so we had to alter out holidays not per our wishes or needs. it wasnt good enough for me but i relented.. today all three go to the other side and if we are lucky we get a phone call..for a long time i said it was good enough then the honeymoon of that was over. i was hurt that they didnt even consider us or even ask if we wanted to go with them? but the other side would not go for that as we would be unwanted guests so why bother.. dont let that happen to you if you can change it. every other is better than nothing.... now we are 1600 miles away so no chance.. too cold for me and too expensive for them or me to handle all that cost.. you find a new family life and today for the first time in a long time we enjoyed our selves watching one family interact like we never did. laugh, smile. talk. enjoy each others company.. and embraced us also...

Working every other holiday is hard. Nothing more I wanted than to be a full time at home wife and homemaker and I'm SOOOOOO thankful my husband also wanted that. I did have to work from 15 to 38 though so I do understand the 'every other holiday' work schedule.

Losing family is always a hard adjustment. If you ended up not having holidays at all that would hurt. There was a time when friends were better family for me too. I will always be thankful for them. I'm glad you found some good friends where you are now. 1600 miles is quite far to drive back and forth for sure. 💝😌