One of the challenging things about the holidays is that they're "supposed" the be joyful. Be happy, be merry, enjoy your family - and if you don't, you must be doing it wrong. But families can be challenging and grief can be relentless at the holidays especially.
When it comes to holiday stress, we all need to give ourselves permission to say "no." We don't have to attend every party, sign up for every event, or join in every activity. We've also got to set boundaries with the people in our lives and well and not feel the need to apologize for doing so.
No matter how into the holidays you are (or aren't) they come with a lot of stress. Travel, money, schedules, and routines in turmoil, that one really annoying brother-in-law - it can all add up.