Last year, I got massive food poisoning from one of the earlier mega-dinners during CNY.  Spent that night on the toilet (both directions), and the next day in the hospital (all-day I.V. marathon).  That got me a reprieve from the next few get togethers.  Best of luck!

For the OP<

I suppose that I would say with much patience....С терпением.

If you are Orthodox, and I am not asking : С Рождеством! С Новым годом!Да поможет вам Бог в этом году.

Yup...I have said it before and I will say it again:

"Chinese Spring Festival is so brutally boring and regimented that it absolutely drives me nuts! They don't have a good time at all. They make noise and give money.... all in an effort to do nothing more than to save, get or give face. Citizens are forced to travel for days on a crowded train for what...dumplings and tv?"

Spring festival is great... u don't have to be Chinese to enjoy that...  I am not Christian.. but i used to celebrate and enjoy Christmas every year along with my Christian friends..

Like that .. just join Chinese to celebrate new year.. its seems ur better half is Chinese.. which means you are already half Chinese... and as china got no religion.. the fact that you are half Chinese is good enough to celebrate the festival...

The first Chinese spring festival.. i went with the flow and joined every dinner and every celebration... that was to know how it would be... would admit it was too much for me to have Chinese food round the clock.. 

From next year.. i am selective.. and carefully choose the dinner/lunch i join.. firstly based on the restaurant quality!... then the ppl in the group.. can say my father in law family group is higher class.. so mostly they invite in high end restaurants etc... and few  of them in that group could speak english as well.. some kids are nice too..

Mother in law group.. restaurants i wont go.. but i always join the one lunch at their traditional family home... normally i wont eat anything.. and they are used to it.. ppl are friendly and i try to enjoy the beauty of natural countryside .. 

Heard many foreigners complaining about fireworks.... but i feel like in heaven.. i like to just sit by the window and keep watching the colorful display.. its just great.. and you dont have to spend anything to see such expensive stuff.. ... for myself i like small fireworks.. which normally children play... but the best was one series i had at countryside.. it was traditional type.. very well made.. huge sound.. and the flower very beautiful big and precise... nice as well...

but it is very important that your partner is supportive.. means should spend time with you... and skip the dinners you skip.. we always go out and eat alternative meals and enjoy out time together... its quite good away from busy work schedule..

Look for positive aspects in everything and enjoy the festival.. good luck

This year, we have to go for first time to my in-laws home, like a new family. 

I am really so afraid. not of them, i like them.  I am scared of the traveling. they are in AnHui province, from where is the majority of migrants here in Shanghai. This would be first big pain and decreasing the possibility of enjoy this time. second is the return trip back  to SH. 

   And the crap, that the whole village will come to see laowai again and expect some money from me :/  ( when we was there around 2nd/3rd time and talking about to buy land and build house there, there was lot of demands, such as repair the dirt road first and than crap like this place is not good (means have to pay more if you really like) ! )

 And what I am afraid most, its to be boring there - no internet to kill some time between food, f**king cold all the time, no sofa to sit, no place to play with son - only the "concrete floor in living room" shared with chickens and dog.

And in company with not very friendly brother-in-law which seems to have eat all the world knowledge, but unable to manage his life and wife well. 

 Hell yeah, back 300 years for few days seems to be great :D 

I let my wife manage her parents come to see us to SH, before they die to see other place than the mountain beside their house. I wish they will accept, they are only worry about their 37 years old son, that he can not manage his own house,wife and son without them ...

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!! :0

 Hey, guys,  I'm really NOT Chinese, I'm Russian. If I were a racist I would have never married  one of you.  Besides, I disagree with the statement above, You HAVE  to be Chinese to enjoy Chinese new Year.  Ask foreigners on this site (those have Chinese families), how many of them are thrilled to celebrate Chinese New Year with their in-laws.

There' s a saying: I don't know much about art but I know what I like. & I definitely don't like Chinese New Year. You can call me a racist if you want, but not a wimp. 

Best regards.

when in Room, do as the romans do. only one spring festival during one year right? so just enjoin it, for your husband and your family. Or I don't think China is the right place you should stay in.

Get drunk with everyone else and just roll with it.

I really feel that perhaps the people calling the OP racist are being hypocritical..it is everyday on this site that foreigners rightfully express their frustrations about the Chinese...this is on a normal day, things that foreigners just can't get used to. ElenaDob is talking about a festival where everything is probably done in folds...anyhow, I am sure she likes to have some fun but not in a very intrusive way as she likes her space...I love my space as well. And most of the foreigners that have commented on her question are men... The way that men handle in-laws is totally different to how women do, first of all because a male in-law is treated differently from a female in-law, women are expected to be more submissive where as it is easier for men to put their foot down and say okay (esp. in a case where e.g the grandparents try to run YOUR family), that's just crossing the line, my kid isn't going to do this and that etc....

So as a woman, I understand the OP, nothing racist intended. And like some of you said, there are some things you just can't get used to, just because you are married to someone doesn't mean you are going to like everything about them or their culture, I think that's being realistic and true. Although, ElenaDob you have to find a way of being able to bear it.

  Thanks, guys.  Your comments (esp. Sidi's comment) are very encouraging & comforting.

I guess the problem is not just Chinese New year, it's the fact that you're expected to "enjoy" the things you don't  enjoy & that Chinese in-laws get too involved in your family. I love my space, I don't want to eat when I don't feel hungry & I develop a headache with all that noise around. Thanks for being supportive, that really makes me feel better.

Not sure what some people are on about.

Make the most of it!...Im definitely looking forward to going to my wife's hometown for Spring festival this year

despite the fact this question is very old:

play mahjong with them, I LOVE IT!

anyways my in laws are super nice and treat me like a king

love going to my GF's parent's home for new years.  they love me and i love them.  the food is great, the company is fantastic, and i'm only expected to enjoy myself.  i cannot wait to spend my third spring festival there.  now, as for my girlfriend, she hates going back because her mother and grandmother put her to work!  she tried to convince me to stay in this year...

Like them.