We haven't done Christmas in a long time, not since I was a kid and my parents found a toy store going out of business have we had a "traditional American" Christmas. Now, we have a nice dinner, any gifts are practical. This year I got my dad one of those shower heads that filters your water, it made such a huge difference to me that I got him one too. I do my shopping year round, when I see something that makes me think of someone, and then I save it for the next appropriate gift giving holiday or birthday.
We put the tree up, just because. But there's no rushing around town, no making a list and checking it twice. No spending $3 a roll on reindeer wrapping paper. I get it after x-mas for the following year when it's all 75% off! We donate more. That's about the full extent of our commercialism.
My inlaws though... you can't get them away from Christmas for anything. I hope I don't get any granny sweaters, manicure sets, soap sets, or purses this year. They demand a list, and then they don't pay attention to it. One time they've thought of me, in all these years, and gave an English saddle they found at an auction. I was tickled pink! But then they went back to purses and manicure sets. I thought they were finally onto something, but it must have been a fluke.
I wish they would stop spending and sit down, chill out, and have a nice dinner with us. What's the point of a holiday if it makes you feel stressed and frazzled?