On this week’s So You Think You’re an Adult, one person doesn’t want to go home to their family for Christmas this year.
“I’ve had a mental year in work, and I would love to go on a long sun holiday for two weeks over Christmas,” they told Moncrieff.
“I come from a small family – it’s just my mam and dad, and my younger brother.
“If I don’t go home for Christmas, it will just be the three of them, and I know it won’t feel the same.”
They said their mother loves Christmas and has said before she would “hate for any of her children not to be at the dinner table on Christmas day”.
“I love my family, love Christmas, and love being him. But this year, I just want to take a break from it all, and come back next year,” the listener said.
“Am I being selfish?”
'Time is short'
Writer Amanda Brunker said the listener is, in fact, being selfish.
“I totally get it – I've had a horrific year and I just wish I could just go to bed and actually not get out of the bed for a week,” she said.
“But when you have a tiny family – with big family, you could kind of slip away - life is short and time is short.
“Your parents and your family, they don't necessarily want gifts; all they want is time.
“There will probably be a time when you don't have your parents to go and have Christmas dinner with and I think you would be mad to skip this.”
Amanda suggested taking a break before or after Christmas Day, so the listener can have their time to relax, and the family can spend time together.
'Tell them you got a great price'
Writer Sophie White, on the hand, said the listener should pack up and head on holiday for Christmas.
“Why does Christmas have to be tied to December 25th?” she said.
“I honestly think they say to the family, ‘I'm going on a trip this year, I've got a great price – an Irish mammy can respect a great price – can we celebrate a few days beforehand?’.”
As a mother herself, Sophie said she would fine with this request.
“I'm kind of covered in children at all times, my kids are small and if my children came to me and said they were going to skip Christmas, it would be a tremendous relief,” she said.
“I would stay in bed all day.”
