Skipping Christmas Thanksgiving Holidays Without Family

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Photographed by Erin Yamagata.

You couldn't get time off. The plane tickets cost an arm and a leg. You're actually going to your in-laws' this year. You just don't want to. There are plenty of reasons that could keep you from going home for the holidays. No matter what yours is, the time will come when you'll have to give your parents a heads up.

Before you break out into a cold sweat, hear us out: Announcing that you won't be at the big family dinner doesn't have to end in hurt feelings or a shouting match. We spoke with Aarti Gupta, PsyD, founder and clinical director at TherapyNest, about how to break the news to your fam gently and tactfully.

Read on for four tips that will help you tackle this tricky convo well before the holidays.

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