The Boy on Top
Ha! People will tell you Christmas is all about the pressies.
I am with you though and utterly grateful I only have to buy for my boys and my Mom who will be with me this Christmas.
If I were you, I'd stop buying insightful gifts and give a luxury gift voucher instead..they can buy their own insightful presents...or for a woman a spa/beauty treatment or something equally frivolous.
Satsumas!
Absolutely! I think its actually a bit sad you can get satsuma's most of the year. As a kid I loved when the first bunch arrived at home, always meant Xmas was near. TB
I'm with you too. Now that my children are grown up, we simply exchange wish lists, which sounds awful but really saves mistakes. I always do get a few frivolous things for them too, off the list, for a surprise, but mostly it's CDs, DVDs and books and maybe some clothes for my daughter if she has told me EXACTLY what.
For other people, things that can be used up (food, drink, toiletries maybe if you have extremely good taste and know theirs), but are more luxurious versions than they usually would buy themselves are safest. I like giving and receiving books, but again, you have to be sure of what they like - I have been bemused (even slightly insulted) by being given totally the wrong book.
Other people's children, once old enough to spend it, get money. They like it more than anything else.
I'm impressed that you even think about it. I have to do all the Christmas shopping, the only present my husband buys is mine, and sometimes he delegates that if specialist knowledge is required.
Satsumas, Greavsie? Father Christmas brings satsumas.
Oh yes, in the boys house we are equal opportunity present buyers. Unfortunately. That is only because we both equally hate the activity, so its only fair... TB
Wait, I'm expecting a coat this Christmas!! nononononono don't scrap the presents...yet
So you'd notice then? Ok an exception for the lady. TB
I wouldn't notice, really. I am happiest having a low-key family time and no pressure.
I had an XJS once. It was crap. I'd rather have a damson tree please!
That sounds like you want a pressie Ally! TB
That's why American Thanksgiving rocks!
Ok, ok. Now that the over-exuberance has been released, I can return to my staid manner: Yes, pressies on Xmas are a bore. We even negotiate no present xmas' but someone always breaks the rule.
Want to come over for Thanksgiving? There will be lots of food, lots of wine and NO presents!!!! 
Beware what you offer or 5 of us will suddenly descend. You would be shocked at what my two wee lads can shovel down their throats! TB
Oh, go for it. My family hasn't given grown-ups presents for many years, only the little kids. Colin & I never give each other Christmas or birthday presents, just sometimes "complete surprise" presents when we find or think of something that we know the other will love and hasn't thought of. They could cost 5p or £5,000.
I don't know how you start it though if that's not how your family works. A suggestion to everyone that you all agree to make gifts to charity instead this year but not tell anyone which charity or how much (so it doesn't escalate)?
Having seen my mother spend hours agonising over what to buy for people, and then more hours lamenting the presents she has received that she didn't want, and then more hours taking things back to shops - when my father in-law suggested no presents for adults I thought it was a brilliant idea. For a while it worked fine for my in-laws. I then tried selling the idea to my own parents - to save them time and agonising as much as anything. Myself, I've steadfastly stuck with buying presents when I see something I know someone will like, and not doing so just because it's Christmas. However the price is high. I'm sure I am thought odd, mean, a spoil sport, and all sorts of other nasty things. At least I'm doing what I believe in, and I'm saving both myself and other people time and angst by dropping out of the whole present exchange tradition (except for kids).
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