So how do you deal with your atheism around the holidays

[Darkstar]

I take a moment to go laugh at the year's 'War on Christmas' spiel from FOX. And... that's about it. My family might make me go to church, but I probably won't complain about it.

[CapnAwesome]

I declare war on christmas every year, so Fox news will have something to talk about.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

I try to focus on the food and gifts and OOOOH IT'S SNOWING

I'm boiling a young goat in its mother's milk for dinner that day.

[Minimalist]

Somebody decided that Jesus' bday needed celebrating,

Pope Julius I.

[Mermaid]

I have learned the value in being quiet, smiling and nodding if necessary.

[Jackalope]

I declare war on christmas every year, so Fox news will have something to talk about.

I personally dropped a shit ton of cluster bombs on Christmas just this morning. Sadly, Christmas had dug itself in, and survived the assault unscathed.

[Jenny A]

I think of it as a winter carnival. Which it is. If anyone talks to me about the true meaning of Christmas I either smile and nod, or explain that Christmas and Saturnalia are being celebrated simultaneously and Saturnalia is the older and better holiday.

[Cecelia]

It's rarely really bad around the holidays honestly. The only religious people who come to visit us are:

-My father, who doesn't bring it up much if at all.

-My husband's much older cousins who are crazy to the point the other Christians in the family think they're crazy. They always stop by for maybe 5 minutes to drop off the crappy presents they want to give us. And by crappy I don't mean "cheap", I mean stuff nobody would ever want. Like you could give it to a homeless person, and the homeless person would be worse off than before. I mean stuff they put absolutely NO thought into them. They only do it because they like shopping for people (their words, not mine) Every year we give them a present too. Usually we get them a box of candy. Because we figure they can all eat it and at least enjoy it. Thankfully they stay all of two minutes to drop off a gift, get theirs and then leave. They don't bring up religion (It's about the only time they don't. The wife once accused me going to a 'lesbian college', which was clearly supposed to be an insult) and instead talk about how much they spoiled their grandson.

-And lastly my father-in-law, who'll bring up Jesus and the bible for about 5 minutes, during which time I distract myself with my kids, and then he drops the subject and eventually moves on to something else. Usually automobile related. I feel too bad for him being alone at Christmas to really say anything. Not that it'd get him to leave anyway. But best to avoid arguments at the holidays.

The rest of our guests aren't all that religious. So it's not too difficult really. Avoiding religion at Christmas is no different from the rest of the year really. Maybe even easier because most people want to talk about what they got, and what they've been doing.

[Reforged]

Alcohol, other things. Anything it takes to make the corners of my mouth turn up slightly.
This will be one of my christmas carols that I'll rock out to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O52jAYa4Pm8

[LadyForCamus]

I try to focus on the food and gifts and OOOOH IT'S SNOWING

I'm boiling a young goat in its mother's milk for dinner that day.

It is late, and I just laughed really loud at that, thank you! ?

Personally, I love Christmas, but not for any reason that has to do with religion. It's more about our family traditions, and getting caught up in the "spirit" of the holiday. It's enjoyable for me in the same way that Halloween is. Both holidays are rooted in make-believe but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the merriment! (Meaning snacks and booze).