Thanks, and Happy Holidays everyone!

For example, I'd get scented candles from someone who never ever saw me light a candle in my house except dinner tapers. I hate scented candles. I told her not to give me a present at all, but it fell on deaf ears. I was glad when she moved away.

I do send out about 200 Christmas cards. And I give a hefty Costco gift card to my son and his wife, and I get to shop for their 5-yr old, all the Christmasy junk. But we've simplified our lives tremendously, and it feels pretty good.

I make good sized donations to several local charities at the holidays, more than I give during the year, especially to the local food bank and soup kitchens.

I found this website, and I like their ideas a lot.

Our extended family and us long ago stopped buying gifts. We did buy for parents when they were alive, but that is all. Before Christmas we have a pot luck get together to exchange gifts, but each person only gets 1 gift and it has to be under $5. The guys but 1 gift for a guy and the gals buy 1 for a gal and the kids buy 1 for a boy or girl depending on their gender. On the tag is written your name, so you don't get your gift back. If you have 3 kids this costs a grand total of $25. The whole family spends more time thinking something weird, wacky or wonderful, than they do on any other gifts. Most start looking right after Christmas. We always have a grand time and it's a nice way be with family over the holidays.

Give the gift of your time:

For a mother with young kids--free baby sitting service. The year my son had twins I gave them a night out. A $40 restaurant gift certificate, a movie gift certificate and my baby sitting services.

For your parents--anything that has you spending time with them. The elderly enjoy your time more than anything material--they really don't need another figurine or much else for that matter.
For your mother--Lunch out and a shopping trip or any other activity she enjoys.
For Dad the same thing. If he likes sports try a training session for his favorite sports team. My son and boys often go to hockey parctices of their team and they are free.
Do some thinking and find out what can be done or what's going on in your town and who you can treat to these freebies with a little gift perhaps that goes with it

I couldn't help but smile about the jam and homemade goodies. I have a lot of family members who really enjoy my homemade goodies....hmm...a great idea. I bet it makes your people happy. What better gift can you give than something made specially for them? I can't imagine anything better.

I love giving personalized gifts at Christmas. I love to cook, so any holiday is a great excuse. I try to personalize things. I know that it means more to me when someone thinks about me rather than just getting me something that I would never use. For example, if anyone knew me they would know I don't like anything that isn't practical. If I can't use it or do something with it, I don't want it. I would rather have a roll of duct tape than some knick-knack I would have to keep moving to dust. LOL. Sorry, it's a hard truth.

My husband and I have agreed to buy each other only one thing this year and the kids are allowed to pick three. They each get to submit a list and we get to pick the presents.

I really like the idea of the donations. It is something we do regularly. We collect clothing from people who are getting rid of stuff and clean, sort and repair (if needed) then hand it out to families that need it. I know there are people who do this in an organized fashion, but I feel a bit like Santa Claus being able to do this during the year.

I also try to find things at auctions for people who have hobbies. Somethings you just don't want new. My family butchers their own meat and I will find something at an auction and pick it up for my parents (they are the ones who own all of the equipment). Things are always breaking or getting worn out. It really helps them out and I feel good keeping a piece of history from becoming someone's wall hanging. (I have seen people do this. I think that is ok for them, but like I said, I prefer to use things.)Please don't take offense if you are someone who hangs such things up for decorations. I just have a thing (read "obsession") for being able to keep history alive. It makes me feel like I am keeping memories alive and able to create new ones at the same time.

I will also volunteer to watch some friends kids so they can go shopping without trying to find a sitter. They prefer that to any knick-knack that I know of.

Keep them coming, I am looking forward to hearing everyone's ideas.