I have never really been a fan of Christmas-as-we-know-it. It has become too commercialized with the idea that if you want your friends and family to like you, you'll buy them things. My family has fell a sort of victim to this mindset, especially with my mother. Every year it's the same; I tell her that she doesn't have to get me anything, and every year she doesn't listen to what I'm saying and just gets things for me.
The abundance of gifts was exaggerated last year when my fiancée and I spent our first Christmas together. Her mother hasn't always been the best and appeared like she was trying to make up for things by buying us gifts that she really couldn't afford. Her father also spoiled us a little with gifts, but no where near as much.
This year appeared to be a nice balance of gifts and what I think the holidays should have their focus on: spending time with family and friends. Even my fiancée has said that she enjoyed the focus being on the time spent together, rather than the gift giving.
I feel your pain my friend. The greatest gift is time. I would rather hang out and spend time with people on christmas, like maybe attend a party, than actually get loads and loads of gifts.
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