text: christmas gifts?  do you think most of us buy more than we need and more than the recipient needs? if you have to rack your brain to come up with a gift for a particular person, do you feel frustrated by this?  don't you think it takes away from the whole spirit of "giving"? also agree that everyone goes too far. fighting the crowds, the traffic and worrying that you didnt get the right thing or spend enough. and the commercials for shopping give the kids the wrong impression of what the season is about.  even though they get gifts at christmas, my children were taught from a young age that it is more important to give than receive. we bake cookies and make candy instead of spending big bucks. we donate to those less fortunate (even though we are struggling ourselves), we 'adopt' a family each year who has nothing and try to help them out.   and we spend a special night with our extended family (instead of exchanging gifts). it can be a dinner where everyone gets together for a few hours and talks and laughs, go to see a musical or play, or even plan a game night with all the uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins. its always a highlight of the holidays!