I think it's totally worth it.
DH's family STILL doesn't get that he won't be home for Christmas. They always appear *shocked* when he tells them he won't be there for Xmas. Like they think NOBODY travels on Dec. 25th.
Last year DH ate at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day. He called me and I sang "Fa, ra, ra, ra, ra...." from the movie "A Christmas Story" over the phone. He didn't think it was too funny.
When you're married to a pilot you learn to take what you can get as far as spending time with each other.