Reply #9: "I've sworn to remain single until democracy returns to the USA.

[Divernan]

I know - that doesn't work, nor would bringing your butchest looking female friend and introducing her as your fiancee - it IS Christmas - time for suffering disfunctional family situations. But to inject a little humor into your situation - rent the original Bridget Jones' diary - she went through the same thing from both her family and her friends she referred to as the "smug marrieds".