I think that skipping gift giving isn't a great idea. Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to stop and think about the other people in your life, their wants and needs. It doesn't have to be a big ticket item, but it should reflect some thought.
This year my husband and I are going very light on each other; too many people on Long Island need our help right now.
Still, I did get him a Keurig before the storm. (Such a deal. It was originally $180 at Kohls, down to $150. I had a 30% off coupon, bringing it down to $105. I'm getting a $30 rebate, so that's $75. And I had $10 in Kohl's cash, so it ends up costing me $65 out of pocket.)
How about tickets to something-- a show, a game, a concert, or some special New Years Eve plans?
Something for his car?
Music?
Last year I made his mom and mine a book. I emailed all the siblings and asked for a collection of stories and catch phrases from the growing up years... along the times of "Remember the time..." I printed them up, added clip art pictures and put them into a binder. Luckily, we got it to my mother in law early, since she wasn't feeling well on Christmas Eve and wasn't sure she would make it to our house for Christmas Day. She had time to look over it, and I hope it brought her a smile before she passed away early Christmas Day.
So I'm not going especially light on the kids; they need a good Christmas this year. But then again I did start before Labor Day.
The point is that this is an opportunity to stop and think of how much your family and friends mean to you.
As to BF, I love it! I have a good chunk of my shopping done, but I'll be hitting Kohls and Old Navy, and then the mall starting at about 4 am. (No big deal, I get up at 5 am for work.) I'll do mostly clothes, but I get such a kick out of the spirit of the day.
Then I'll come home and we'll put up the outdoor decorations.
