I completely agree with your perspective. Playing games in a casual, friendly setting really strips away the high pressure elements. I think it's more about enjoying the time together the absence of serious consequences in friendly games keeps it all in good fun.
Playing games in a relaxed atmosphere usually doesn't matter about winning or losing because a person or group of people is enjoying their holiday or spending their free time with their friends. I sometimes do things like that, although not too often because I'm hampered by my own personal busyness, but things like that are quite fun, especially if our friends have the same frequency in playing the game regardless of winning or losing.
And I don't think it's a bad thing to spend time with your family especially if it creates a special bond with other members. You are just playin to really have time to each other. Hopefully this kind of game won't turn slowly to game for money. Because only then the atmosphere will change. You no longer play to enjoy but to win over other people.
I think it's not about the frequency of playing as long as you are not neglecting other areas of your life. It is also about the intention why everyone is playin. Are they playing to enjoy time with family or to make money?