I hope you can stay home. This sort of stuff is one reason I hate the holidays. You're required to be "merry" when you just want to be left alone.

Luckily, I'm on my own and can do what I want. My only family is far enough away that I don't have to pretend to enjoy myself on Thanksgiving. (Even though I do love them.)

Claim you're going to work at the homeless shelter, or some other friends have invited you, or whatever excuse you think will fly. Alternatively, move far enough away that going for the dinner isn't going to happen, but a move probably isn't feasible.

I'm sure many people feel the same way! Best advice I ever got on this topic was to embrace the idea that it's nice to do these things for others. You're sharing yourself. It's like a gift or public service.

There's only one thing worse than a dysfunctional family, no family... so try to be grateful.
This is the pep talk I give myself at least once a year. Hope it helps. Good luck.

I only hope that my sister's 18 yo nephew doesn't wear his MAGA hat to the dinner table again this year . . . .

May your day be bearable and I hope you're able to find some peace today.

Thanks to you and Happy Thanksgiving.

I'm staying home with my meatloaf.

And yes, I am happy.

Hope you had plenty of peace and tranquility.
Just me, 3 cats and a shy dog enjoying a cold but gorgeous day.
We stayed in. I went out on the deck for a few minutes with the critters.
That was it. No big meals, no fuss.