I will say, I love the whole winter holiday season. And I looove giving gifts to the people I love. I just like thinking really hard about the person, and what they like and could use, and finding them that thing that they'd never buy themselves because it would be a bit silly or impractical though they would love it. I'm not one to go for crazy blow-the-yearly-budget kind of blowouts or anything, and I've never seen a reason to go out black friday unless I had to work it (in which case, all of you customers who come in at 4 am and crowd the store...I hate you all). This year I have the luxury of not working retail and I plan to have a normal day.
Mostly what the holidays are about for our families (my husband's and mine) is family. Everyone wants to see everyone else at least once for a little while if at all possible, spend some time together, eat some good food, and enjoy themselves. My husband's family has a Dirty Santa party where the presents have a spending limit and don't really matter (And half of them are funny) and everyone ends up with their one small thing. My family does a Secret Santa for everyone 21 and over, and now that we're all grown up there are only two cousins under the age limit who get gifts from everybody. We have an understanding that if it gets to the point where everyone is just exchanging gift cards we will do away with adult presents completely, and usually the items on peoples' lists are fairly practical, like my mom asking for a pot rack or towels or something. Again, it's mostly family and food and just hanging out that is important for us. But presents are nice too 
I have mixed feelings about this, too. I hate giving in to the culture of consumption, but I like giving my loved ones gifts. What I strive for is some sanity. I try really hard (not always successfully)to keep costs to a reasonable level, and I always try to make a significant charitable contribution to balance it.
As for Black Friday, I NEVER participate--but that's because I can't stand the frenzied madness of it all!
I agree with Catrina, I like the whole winter holiday season and for us it's all about family.
That said, I'm learning every year that our family celebrations, and shopping, are more low-key than most; my kids were shocked last year when we volunteered with the local Santas Anonymous program just how much the needy kids were receiving -- considerably more than mine over the past *several* Christmases.
And I tend to be allergic to groups telling me what to do, whether it's local folks "reminding" others about "the reason for the season" or AdBusters telling me what (not) to buy and when. Then again, I do most of my shopping throughout the year because I'm also allergic to crowded stores, Christmas carols played in November, and those fake scents make me ill...
So I guess that makes me a Scrooge who likes Christmas!
The spouse and I won't venture out today; we never have on Black Friday.
We've done all our shopping online for years, and it's only for our children—and now, for our new granddaughter—and for each other. My husband's parents don't give us grownups presents and we don't give them presents. (My parents died long ago, so it's only my in-laws to consider.) We don't go wild, because excess is nutty. We have a budget; we put aside a little bit of money for Christmas each week of the year. We do send out cards to members of our extended family.
Mostly the holidays are about family time for us.
Negative feelings, for sure, about the shopping, but I love gift giving and secret santa stuff, especially when there are homemade or silly little gifts. Ten to fifteen buck limits present a challenge, and the game of finding groovy things is more fun than getting gifts anyway. Of course, you have to be playing with like-minded folk (and here I think of some teenagers in my family who would not at all find it fun to get a vintage purse or some such). I just do not see the appeal in fighting a bunch of people and traffic in order to get some highly popular item that everyone else has, or will, within two months.
As for holidays, I love the chance to get together with family and bake, or work on projects, or sip wine. I'm excited because it looks like I'll get to spend a whole week with my parents this year, and my mom and I are already talking about digging up some of her mother's more obscure cookie recipes and making a few batches.
For Thanksgiving, everyone cooks something so no one person is too burdened. For immediate family we have a spending cap. It's fun to be creative within those limits. For extended, we only buy for the little ones, or if we see something someone will enjoy, (happens once in awhile). My Dad died a year ago. He loved Christmas, donated a lot and loved to see loads of packages under the tree. So, in his name, the whole family keeps a wrapped gift box all year, dropping coins, etc. Then we put them all under the tree and someone picks a charity, tells us all about it and donates that year's proceeds to the charity. Dad was 85, and taught us a lot about enjoying the holidays and sharing them.
The last time I was out on "Black Friday", I was working in a large regional department store. My day started around, oh, 4AM or so - that's just when we were expected to clock in, not when the customers showed up. That was two hours later.
So, now that I no longer work in retail, do I feel the need to participate on the other side? Um, no. I love giving things to people, but not necessarily spending huge gobs of money. My side of the family is down with that, my husband's side...not so much. I'd prefer to spend time with our families, without the whole gift orgy; but I don't think that's going to happen.
Simple is good. I find that the types of gifts put forth during the holiday season are mostly for show. Oh, a few have practical value, but many don't--I'd rather have gifts with thought and a little time put into them than a fancy boxed set of whatever. I like giving (and getting!) gifts, but I tend to make things or else go based on exactly what I know the other person likes.
This is knitting crunch time for me. I don't handmake everyone's gifts, but most receive something off the sticks. Kids get toys, teenagers get cash, and everyone has a new scarf or sweater.
I get awfully smug in January when everyone else sweats paying for Christmas over the next year. Mine is free and clear.
The most fun we have is a run to the Everything is a Dollar Store for stocking stuffers. Everyone in the family can spend ten dollars each in there and it's a blast. Kids love it and you find some mighty interesting things in that stocking on Christmas morning.
Enough procrastinating. There's knitting to do.
I tend to go a little crazy buying things for my kid. Everyone else though? They get a card and that's it.
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