<human>: Me (22M) decided to break up with my gf (24F) after 5.5 years. 

Now I truly love her and want to hurt her no more then I already have to. So my question is, when to break up? 

And I don't mean what time of day, more what date. Like holidays are coming up (I'm in the netherlands so we got "Sinterklaas" comming up at the 5th of december) And I know her parents already bought presents for me and stuff, after that we will be close to christmas. I don't really want her to be confronted with the empty chair at the family dinner that I used to fill so soon after breaking up. But if I break up directly after I will look like the dick who sticked around to cash in some holiday gifts. 

Also worth noting that my gf really does not see this coming. And we have been living together for 5 years. (Yes we moved in together when I was 17 and when we where only together for 4 months.)

Give me the gist of the text in a nutshell
<bot>: I want to break up with gf without hurting her more then I need to, when would be the best time.