Just got back from another family xmas. Everyone in my family is xtian except me, one
sister and her husband and my oldest. I don't want my kids to miss out so I go. And the non xtians (sis, oldest, brother in law) also go. It is nice to see everyone sometimes. However every year I go and then feel like an alien after. I can't say what I think without being misunderstood or explaining. I get bored with the small talk, try to engage, remember it's not a good idea, and end up trying to be quiet. And then someone notices and tries to draw me in and usually regrets it. Everything I say always comes out as either intellectual, vulgar, or inappropriate. Not because it is but because I am in small town Bible belt America. I usually end up trying to throw ball, football, basketball, kick soccer, whatever, with the kids that are there. I love them but I would honestly be happy never seeing them. But I guess that's a lot of families. I wish I could skip out next year but I won't. They will all act like they miss me. And they probably will. Until I get there.
My sister is 17 years older than me. When her husband retired from business, he got ordained an evangelical minister. Over the last 10 or so years, my sister installed rules to my visits - neither my bro-in-law or I can talk religion at all. We talk family and I can deal with that.