Is It OK To Not Go Home for the Holidays? Rethinking Last Minute Holiday Plans

So, you’re staring at your calendar and the pressure is on. Everyone seems to assume you’ll head home for the holidays, but something inside you hesitates. Maybe last-minute plans sound appealing. Maybe you just can’t face crowded airports or endless time in your childhood bedroom. Here’s the real talk: It’s totally legit to skip the annual family trek—especially these days.

Turns out, more people than ever are making the choice to stay put, even at the last minute. Whether it’s due to skyrocketing travel costs, work crunches, or just needing some space, skipping that trip home doesn’t mean you care any less. In fact, a YouGov survey in late 2024 showed about 38% of adults planned to spend major holidays somewhere other than their family home. This isn’t just a quirky outlier—it’s becoming the new normal.

Maybe you’ve weighed your options and decided: My time, my rules. There are creative ways to make your own celebration—or take a real break. You don’t owe anyone a cross-country haul just because it’s tradition. If you’re worried about hurting feelings or missing out, stick around. There are plenty of ways to keep those connections strong without being chained to the family table.

• Why Skipping Home for the Holidays Is More Common Now
• Real Reasons People Skip the Family Trip
• Making Last Minute Holiday Plans Work for You
• Keeping Family Close Without Showing Up in Person
• How to Make Your Own Kind of Holiday Special

Why Skipping Home for the Holidays Is More Common Now

This isn’t just a pandemic hangover. People skipping a trip home for the holidays is now more usual than you might think—and there are hard numbers to back it up. Lifestyle shifts, travel headaches, lockdowns, and changing family setups have tweaked what the holidays really mean for a lot of us.

Take this: According to Expedia’s 2024 Travel Trends report, 44% of Americans changed their usual holiday plans in the past two years, with a big chunk ditching family visits for shorter, last minute holiday plans or solo getaways. People want to use their precious days off for rest, experiences, or simply catching a break from the usual routine. And they aren’t shy about making this choice.

Rising travel costs are a beast too. Airlines Reporting Corporation found that average domestic airfare during peak holiday weeks jumped 18% from 2022 to 2024. It’s not just the flight prices—hotel rates, rental cars, and even eating out have kept climbing, making the classic visit home a pretty expensive tradition.

The holidays can feel extra loaded for blended families, folks with in-laws in other cities, or anyone juggling multiple households. Trying to please everyone leads to a lot of stress and not much joy. Parents? Friends? Partners? It’s impossible to be everywhere at once, and most people now realize that trying just leaves you frazzled.

Technology also plays a big role. With video calls, group chats, and virtual game nights, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch without having to catch the red-eye. This shift lets more people choose what works for them, without missing out on the fun or the connection.

So if you’re thinking about not going home for holidays, know you’re part of a pretty big club—and the reasons make a whole lot of sense.

Real Reasons People Skip the Family Trip

It’s easy to assume skipping the family get-together is some rare rebellion, but it’s actually pretty normal—and practical. Let’s break down the main reasons people say, “Not this year,” to holiday homecomings.

• Last minute holiday plans sometimes clash with work schedules. A 2023 Adobe Analytics report found searches for last-minute holiday travel jumped 47% year over year, meaning people are busier, plans change, and work deadlines don’t always play nice with family events.
• Travel costs can get wild. If you’ve tried to book a flight around Christmas, you know tickets can be double or triple the normal price. According to Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook, average round-trip airfare during the holidays in the U.S. hit $352—up from $275 just two years before.
• Mental health matters. People are way more open about taking time for themselves now. The American Psychological Association found that 44% of adults say holiday stress impacts their well-being. Taking a break from family gatherings can actually help folks recharge.
• Family stuff isn’t always easy. Some people have tense or complicated relationships back home. For them, skipping the trip is an act of self-care and not something to feel guilty about.
• Modern families are scattered. With relatives living in different cities or even countries, it just isn’t always possible to gather in one place. Virtual celebrations have picked up big time in the past few years.

Check out these quick stats about why people don’t always go home for the holidays:

Most of these reasons are practical—not dramatic. You’re definitely not the only one who thinks staying put is the right move, at least some years.

Making Last Minute Holiday Plans Work for You

Stuck with no plans and feeling like time’s running out? You’re not alone; about 24% of travelers last year booked their holiday trips less than a week in advance, according to Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Report. Last minute doesn’t have to mean chaos—it just means you get to be more flexible.

First off, let’s talk deals. While popular spots book up, lots of airlines and hotels drop prices for unsold seats and rooms a few days before big holidays. Apps like Hopper and HotelTonight are known for showing last minute bargains. It pays to check during the final week—prices for domestic flights can drop by as much as 18% compared to tickets bought a month ahead. Here’s a quick look at how waiting can shake out:

How can you dodge stress and make last minute holidays fun? Try these:

• not going home for holidays can open up new experiences—think local events or spontaneous adventures nearby.
• Check with friends or co-workers. Chances are, some of them are in the same boat and open to a low-key get-together.
• Look up community events. Many cities have free concerts, pop-up markets, or group dinners for people staying behind.
• If you’re booking a place to stay, aim for offbeat spots or shared accommodations. Airbnb cancellations sometimes mean deals if you ask hosts directly.
• Don’t overplan—often the best memories come from keeping things chill and going with the flow.

If you decide to travel, avoid known headaches like peak airport times. TSA data shows mid-day and late evening flights are usually less crowded. Also, lots of smaller regional airports have shorter lines and easier parking. Short road trips to hidden gems can be memorable and require almost zero planning too.

The main thing: whatever you decide, do it for you. Last minute holidays can be less stressful and even more rewarding than all that tradition and hype.

Keeping Family Close Without Showing Up in Person

You might think skipping the trip home means missing out on family, but there are plenty of ways to stay connected—even if you’re not at the dinner table. With video calls, group chats, and a little creativity, you won’t feel like the odd one out.

Let’s be real. Not everyone can stomach yet another Zoom marathon, but it genuinely works: not going home for holidays doesn’t mean skipping out on actual time together—it just looks different now. According to Pew Research, over 54% of Americans used video calls with family during peak holiday seasons between 2022 and 2024. That’s a huge jump from pre-pandemic days.

You don’t have to keep it basic, either. Here are ideas to make virtual hangs and other connections actually feel special:

• Host a shared meal over video: Decide on a dish everyone makes from their own kitchen. Set a time, eat together on camera, swap cooking fails, and laugh like you usually do—you just don’t have to fight for the last mashed potato.
• Send a care package: Mail off a box with snacks, small gifts, drawings, or inside jokes. The post office gets slammed, so go for digital gift cards or e-cards if you’re way behind.
• Start a group text tradition: Pick a favorite game or set up a family debate (what IS the best pie flavor—people have opinions). Drop updates, silly selfies, or holiday memes as the day goes on.
• Plan a shared playlist or movie night: Use music or streaming apps where you can listen or watch at the same time, from anywhere. Hit play, text your reactions, and you’re instantly hanging out.

Don’t forget that real connection isn’t about being in the same room—it’s about interactions, big and small. Here’s a look at how Americans kept their family bonds alive during the 2024 end-of-year holidays:

The takeaway? Skipping the trip doesn’t have to mean missing out. You just need to switch up how you connect. Sometimes, it’s the little routines started from a distance—like exchanging memes or surprising someone with a digital coffee—that end up being everyone’s new favorite thing.

How to Make Your Own Kind of Holiday Special

If you’re not going home for the holidays, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a boring or lonely time. This is your chance to shape traditions that actually fit your life. Give yourself permission to do what feels right—for some, that’s total relaxation, while for others, it’s planning something new or fun.

Start by picking what excites you most. Netflix binge? Why not. Outdoor hike? Perfect. Cooking up that fancy recipe you bookmarked months ago? Go wild! The idea is to mark the holiday in a way that feels good personally, not just what you “should” do. According to Airbnb’s 2024 report, solo holiday bookings were up 35%. People aren’t just staying home—they’re actively traveling solo, turning their free time into a mini adventure.

Here are some ways to hack your holiday your style:

• Last minute holiday plans: Stay open to spontaneous things. Sometimes the best memories come from unplanned activities—think last-second concert tickets, a group potluck with friends in town, or even an impromptu road trip.
• Host a virtual meal: Set up a video dinner with family or friends. Eat together, chat, play games. Apps like Zoom and Houseparty aren’t just for meetings—they turn dinner into an event.
• Give back: Volunteering often spikes this time of year. Websites like VolunteerMatch show thousands of last minute opportunities. Helping someone else out isn’t just good for the world—it boosts your own mood.
• Try a new tradition: Cook a dish from a country you’ve always wanted to visit. Watch holiday movies from another culture. It’s a good way to keep things fresh and interesting.
• Care package swap: Agree with friends or family to send each other small fun boxes. Think snacks, handmade cards, a silly ornament or gadget. It’s low-cost but adds real excitement to the day.

One thing to remember: you aren’t alone if you’re skipping family time. According to data from the National Retail Federation in 2024, nearly 43% of Americans spent at least one major holiday away from family, and satisfaction rates for solo and friends-based holidays were just as high as for traditional family gatherings.

No matter what you choose, your holiday can be as chill, wild, or social as you want. The freedom is the best part when you write your own playbook.