You're not visiting your family for Christmas? 
Am i stupid??
I have my wife and son here, why would i waste 3000 Euros and precious vacation days to fly home to see the annual family fight and the retardation that has come over Europe??
I have been back to Germany already this year, and I have sworn to myself not to go there again for many years to come, I rather spend my money on a trip to Hawaii, Thailand, Vietnam, NZ, OZ, California, Korea, China, Singapore or whatever than go back and hang around at my parents house for a week listening to their bullshit.
That's what god has invented SKYPE for, you get to hear their bullshit for free, and when you have enough, you pull the plug.