First holiday away from home

I'm wondering if people could tell me about their first time celebrating the holidays on the other side of the ocean and how their families reacted to them not being home for the holidays.  I know this seems early, but actually my boyfriend invited me to go to his house over Christmas and I'm still living in the US right now, so it's going to be so obvious I'd rather go all the way to Scotland and be with him instead of being with my family.

When was the first time you celebrated the holidays with your significant other instead of your immediate family?  How did they react to it?

I think what I'm afraid of isn't so much fitting in with his family or missing out on what's going on with my family as it is wondering how awkward it's going to be BEFORE I leave.

Last year, the holidays were nothing but awkwardness with my family.  Funny enough, the reason it was awkward was because I waited until AFTER New Year's to go to Scotland since it was my first time getting together with Stuart.  So far, I wouldn't say my family is that supportive of the relationship.  Actually, I don't talk to most members of my family that much, just my mom, and she is trying to encourage me to break this off since I'm "too young".  But in any case, I come from a really weird family and usually don't look forward to the holidays, certainly don't think about that in September...  but now that Stuart wants me to go to his house, I feel like I need to talk to other people who have been through the same thing.

Is it too weird to go out of my way to be with my boyfriend instead of my family, who I feel much less of a connection to?  How should I deal with the awkwardness that's going to happen as soon as I say I'm going?  How do I tell my family in the nicest way possible that I'd rather be with Stuart than with them?

It's not like I'm going to change my mind about going, I'm just nervous about how to tell my parents that my relationship is this serious.

Come to Scotland!
We know how to celebrate Christmas & New Year properly! 

If you're not that close to your family, surely it wont be a huge shock if you're not there for Christmas one year.  I know you say that your mom says you're 'too young' but i take it you're over 18, and if so, you can make decisions for yourself.
For goodness sake... they should understand that spending Christmas in another location, especially with your boyfriend, isn't the end of the world or the implosion of your family!

Just stick to your guns.

This year will be the first time away from my family during Christmas...and in fact, the first time in 26 years(my whole life) that I have been away during that time.

I am sad, but that's the choice I've made, due to just starting a job that demands my time here in the UK.

The first time I was away from my family for Christmas I was 18 and in Japan. So, it was extremely different.  My advise-go with an open mind.  Enjoy the differences-pull crackers, wear silly hats, go to a panto and phone your parents on Christmas Day to tell them what a lovely time you're having.  You're a grown up.  Enjoy it.

My first Christmas here was magical. I moved over in October so I was still new here. The boys joined us here in early December. We were living in a rented house and bought a small tree. I remember all the visitors and they all brought either wine or boxes of chocolates. I LOVE Celebrations chocs! This went on for about a week before xmas and a few days after. This is when I met most my new in-laws to be and it was my first shopping exprience in the UK. We live near a Toys R Us so it was pretty much like home. Very hot, overly crowded stores.
I'm not close with my family in the USA and haven't seen them for any holidays for a number of years when I lived in the USA so it wasn't really any different me being here.

Last year was my first christmas away from home... which was really hard because my family is BIG on christmas...and i honestly think that i am the only one to miss christmas with my family for the passed 20 years!  But i was getting married in the UK the 28th of December and DH and i decided to alternate christmases in the UK and US so everyone pretty much understood that he was my husband and we had family on both sides of the atlantic.. so i didnt get much of a guilt trip.. but i was a bit sad not to be there.

Now this year is another story.. we were supposed to be home in the US for christmas this year but because of money we are probably just going to have to stay in the UK.. even though everyone is expecting DH and I home.. so im kinda going through the same thing you are telling my family i wont be at christmas.. so i feel for you!  But in your case id say, if your over 18 its your choice where you spend your holidays and you should feel no obligation to spend christmas at home for the rest of your life.

My first Christmas away from home I was 18 and living in NYC, so last Christmas (my first in England) wasn't anything new for me and my family.  I'm really close to them, but we all still managed to have fun.  They called me on Christmas day and we all talked about how our mornings had gone.  Mindy's advice about going in with an open mind is really good -- enjoy the differences, because it won't be like home!

My first Christmas here was magical. I moved over in October so I was still new here.   

mine too... i remember it all really fondly!   Great atmosphere in the pubs, Christmas kisses, lots of snow that year, loads of booze and chocolate, everybody really keen to find out what the Christmas number 1 record was going to be... just loads of fun and a brilliant atmosphere! 

My first Christmas that I spent away from 'home' (my mother's house) -- I was 21 & I went to Rio de Janeiro for a month from mid-December to mid-January, and stayed with my former university roommate & her family there.  It was amazing!!!  I guess my family dealt with it or got over it or whatever, cos I don't really remember what they thought -- but I remember that I had a fantastic time.

My family's Christmases were never really that big of a deal - especially after my dad died when I was 9.  Sometimes more like we were just going through the motions.  So I didn't mind spending Christmas away.

I've not had Christmas with my family now in years & years -- maybe the last time was in the early 1990s.

Christmases in England with my husband's family are always special!  Lots of great food, wine & other alcoholic beverages, silly hats & pulling crackers, and playing games like Charades & some version of Botticelli.  Pressies are saved for opening until after Christmas dinner (on Christmas afternoon) -- we are all adults, no children!  My BIL plays the beverage mixologist & we all have a brilliant time!  Oh and of course, we pause to watch the Dr Who Christmas special.

My first Christmas away from home was last year, with FH's family- it was actually really great.  I was welcomed with open arms, got loads of presents from his family (which totally shocked me) and got to experience my first English Christmas with all the requisite traditions and food!  I missed my parents of course, but they called me on Christmas day and I brought our family's "Christmas pajamas" tradition over to England with me so it still felt somewhat familiar.

Still hoping to go back to the US this year, but it's looking like we may stay here for another Christmas in England-- if we do, I'm sure it'll be just as fun as last year!

I've lived away from home from the time i was in my early 20's.. However i only lived in the town next to my parents and christmas was/is a very important holiday for my immediate family..
So even thought i'd moved out of home in my early 20s the first xmas that i didn't spend with my parents was when i was 38.. ....
Which was my second xmas here in scotland .. lol
I think i've prolly spent 4 out of 8 christmas's back in the states with my parents.