I alternate years between spending Christmas in CA with my family, and spending Christmas in the UK with DH's family. This year it is a UK year. Two years ago, it was really difficult (they do not celebrate at all like my family does!) so I am not looking forward to it.
We'll most likely drive up on the 24th, go out for Christmas drinks with a few of his friends, and then sleep in on the 25th. Presents are opened in the afternoon and Christmas dinner is served; it is not very celebratory at all. None of the waking up at 6am, Christmas breakfast, stockings, spending your day in PJs like what I am used to.
As much as I love my DH, being away from home and all the Christmas stuff which goes along with it is the worst for me. I know it is hard for him as well, but since we live in the UK, not being able to celebrate at all in CA every other year is hard. (Last year, we had a smaller UK Christmas celebration before flying to CA for Christmas.)