I've got to be honest with you: I don't really give gifts. Sure, I generally find something for my niece and nephews and do help Santa fill my sister's stocking with some practical items she needs (think socks and Chapstick®). 
But that concludes my shopping list. In our family, Christmas isn't a huge gift-giving ordeal.
For me, the holidays are much more about experiences rather than things. I'd much rather spend my time watching my father cry at It's A Wonderful Life ,all the while claiming he just has a cold (his excuse every year), than watch him open a gift that I stressed out to find and that won't last like the memories will. Cliché as it is, it's more about presence than presents. (Yeah, I'm groaning, too.)
Given the current economy, a lot more people are cutting back holiday spending. Some are even getting close to a no-spend holiday. But you still want to let folks you care about know that you're thinking of them during the holidays. Here are a couple ideas that can help do just that:
- Send a note. A quick ecard can let someone know they are on your mind — I'm fond of the wittiness some ecards provide. Or you can send a special note to tell them you'd like to give them something more meaningful as an alternative.
- Give a virtual gift. It's no secret that I'm slightly obsessed with Facebook. And during this season, I love the holiday applications. Particularly, My Christmas Tree , which lets you wrap and send virtual gifts to your friends who use the site.
I'm curious: How comfortable are you not giving gifts during the holiday?
Now, if you're set on giving things this holiday, check out Caroline's advice later this week for some inexpensive gift ideas that can help your budget!
I'm a total giver. I love buying presents for people. I think it's a good experience and fun. I don't think I would be comfortable showing up with nothing knowing that everyone else would be giving. We'll do a gift exchange (drawing names) with the extended family and then my husband and I have a $400 limit to spend on each other and I'm having so much fun finding him stuff!
Here are some beautiful animated Christmas ecards.
www.squidoo.com/christmas-ecards
I'm embracing the buy nothing concept cold turkey. I told my family that I expect nothing in return. One of my problems with gift buying was that common issue, I only got things I wanted for myself, hence would sometimes buy two. It's stupid.