"So I asked my boss if the company Christmas party might involve less 'mandatory fun' and more 'booze fountain.' They smiled. I’m concerned they misunderstood."

"I’m making a list and checking it twice—of all the relatives I need to fake-laugh for this year. Bring on the eggnog, I need enough courage to talk about my 'career choices' at dinner."

"Christmas spirit? More like 'Christmas spirits.' I’ll be swirling a mug of questionable punch while dodging Aunt Linda’s interrogation about why I’m still single."

"Deck the halls, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. Meanwhile, I’m unboxing last year’s half-broken ornaments and contemplating which family member I'll pretend not to recognize."