There is a lot of social pressure during the holiday.  People schedule events and expect you to be there.  You may also be expected to interact with people who are a bad influence on you or who are abuse and a problem.

Koz has a simple way to manage expectations around the holidays.  By managing expectations, you can avoid being the bad guy if you have to cancel an appearance at a planned event.

Depending on the family drama, the holiday may take some courage on your part.  Make sure you have some good guidance on your side.