For years I felt like I had to go to my nparents house for Christmas. Not only did I feel like I had to pay for the plane ticket to get there, but also for all the gifts.
It was find being there for about 2 days - after that I wanted out. My sister living in the parents area, refused to come over to the house often, and that left just me.
Eventually, my apartment burned down, and I was able to use that as an excuse to stay home. Ever since then, except once, I have not gone for Christmas.
One year the parents offered to pay for the plane ticket to get there, and that was my Christmas present. So nope - I have a nicer time with my friends and adopted family in the area where I live now.
Of course, every once in a while, I get the guilty treatment from the parents: Since no one is here, we're not going to decorate. We'll just go out to a restaurant and celebrate Christmas ourselves.
Their choice. Interestingly enough - after the last Christmas I was with them, my migraines stopped!