I would say that if someone really wanted to emphasize that they care despite not giving a gift, taking some time to think to compose a handwritten note or card about the ways they are grateful for being around that person and how much they care would do it.

Maybe writing a note and inviting them to lunch on you would be nice.

I think if you give to a charity in someone's name you should let them choose the charity.

girly

"A donation has been made in your name to the Human Fund."

senoryoshio

@senoryoshio:
The Human Fund. Money for people.

joemama321

Merry Festivus!

ConsumptionJunkie

Anyone else amused that a person named Penny Nickel is complaining about materialism?

smitty1123

After the tsunami, we started e-mailing our (adult) family each year and telling them, "We love you, but we're giving what we would have spent on you to charity and only buying gifts for the children in the family."

That was also the year that my (then three-year-old) cousin said in all earnestness, "I'm tiiiiirrrred of opening presents."

4ster

I like that cookies in a jar idea.

We stopped doing presents about a decade ago. Now, we adult children take the parents out to a very nice dinner. And that's the present. We're all together, over a nice meal, and there's no clutter or something to exchange at the store.

tuckpendleton

This year, my family is making contributions to the Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog. It's amazing how far your dollar can go when you are giving it to a third world country. Whether you are helping to rescue a child from bondage and abuse or providing clean water and food for a family, the cost is low compared to what you would normally spend on gifts. For example, you could help cure someone of Tuberculosis for $15. That's right! $15! Someone could live a full life for only $15. Or, for $9, you could feed a hungry baby for a week. Let's face it, when was the last time you spent $9 on 1 meal for yourself?

The neat thing about the program is that when you give, you can have the organization send a card to people stating that the donation was given in their name. Granted, the greedy punks out there will be a little peeved that they didn't get "stuff," but the people you love will look at it as a gift and be able to share in the feeling of knowing that by forgoing the meaningless and materialistic crap we normally give will result in saving a life.

Google it. You'll feel better about your purchases.

dustyken1

I try to give people something useful for the holidays (handmade socks, scarves, or fingerless mitts) because by next year they'll be worn out and need replacing.

I'm also a fan of the "cookies-in-a-jar" type thing. I put all the dry ingredients in layers, and attach a tag saying what they need to add (usually an egg and water). Almost everyone I gave one to invited me over to help them make cookies, which was better than just giving a gift and never seeing them enjoying it! I take the jars back and refill them if they want, or they can be reused or recycled.

Cathoo

Thyroid cancer treatment is has the same options of other forms of cancer. There are four main ways to treat the cancer, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

One form of thyroid cancer treatment that is the first method of treatment, if the cancer is in early stages and if the cancer has not spread too far is surgery. Surgery is a method doctors will use to go inside the body and cut out the cancer if it looks like they can get all of the cancer.

thyroidcancertreatment.info

I purchased much less for everyone than usual this year. Basically, I bought all homemade gifts on etsy.com. And I am thrilled with the whole experience!

The gifts I got are small, thoughtful, personal, and completely unique, and I feel VERY good about supporting someone's hobby. Lots of their stuff is made from recycled materials too. And I never had to go into a store!

I did buy a couple vintage kitchen accessories from ebay for someone-- thoughtful and useful antique gifts count as well if you are trying not to purchase new items.

geekgrrl77

I've gotta say, as a new parent, that babysitting gift certificates are worth more than anything you can give me this Christmas. Wii, PS3, iPhone, pfffffft! Give me 7 days of babysitting - no questions asked, 7 glorious nights out on the town or doing whatever - that's priceless! :D

quagmire0

I wrote a post about why donating is the true spirit of the season. I include details for 37 not for profits for which a donation could make a real difference. Check out: [andamom.com]

Andamom

@thyroidcancertreatment.info: so are you providing someone treatment as a Christmas gift, or just droppin' the knowledge?

jaxun

Rockin' the picture puzzle of my kids for all the relatives, as a follow up to last year's giant photo collage posters. And donations in their names to the non-profit I started working for this year. Last year it was donations to the food banks in their respective regions. I have also asked that if someone feels like they need to spend money on my behalf, donate!

jaxun

should have posted this before Black Friday

efbegranny

I like all this advice, Etsy.com - doh! Why didn't I think of that? This year I'm trying to move towards buying usable, meaningful things or not getting anything at all. I've had it with crap. Obligatory gifting isn't good for anyone.

mahalie

Our family draws names, so instead of receiving/giving 10 little $20 gifts, you receive/give one nice, $75-$100 one. We save money this way and so much stress is relieved.

My husband and his brothers are beer geeks, so one year my husband gave his brother a subscription to his own personal beer of the month club. He would pick out specialty beers for him that he didn't have access to in his state. He designed a subscription card which was funny, plus the gift lasted all year.

Also, my husband and I stopped giving each other gifts long ago. Instead, we buy a big ticket item that we've been saving up for. This year it was a new TV. It's something we needed and wanted anyway, but making it our Christmas gift to ourselves made it seem more special.

LadyNo

I love browsing etsy, but I have yet to buy... it does make me motivated to make stuff on my own...

azgirl

I work for the charity Oxfam and we have an alternative gift giving range called
Oxfam Unwrapped.

It makes the giving to charity in someone's name a lot more tangible by you being able to pick out particular gifts that would suit the recipient. There are the quirky things like goats and toilets, but also livlihoods, AIDs awareness and education gifts.

The strap lines of the advertising this year were all around the 'horror of rubbish presents'- better to get something decent than another pair of Matalan socks!!

sleepybee

The whole charity gift thing seems to be a "moral minefield" -
Charity giving: Goats are so two years ago

Someone apparantly once said "it's the thought that counts" - seems a little more thought may be in order.

Morcroft

@THYROIDCANCERTREATMENT.INFO:
Haha. I can't stop laughing. I know cancer sucks and all but how completely irrelevant and unproductive! Haha. Spamming about cancer!?

ecwis

@Morcroft
That article is actually quoting lots of alternative charity gifts that the author thinks are good gifts. Whilst there has been some bad press about livestock gifts, if you dig a little deeper you will find that money given via these routes makes just as much of a difference as usual donations. If you want to ask me any more detailed questions about it feel free to message me.

I'm also loving the cookies in a jar idea-- you could do all sorts of versions.

sleepybee

I've read some great comments and ideas. I feel compelled to say that, whatever you do, please don't buy into the ridiculous gift card culture!

cheesebubble

@sleepybee:
Agreed - charitable gifts can be beneficial. On the other hand they can be badly thought out or breed ill-feeling among your family and friends. There are plenty of thoughtful ideas on this page, and if you know someone who will genuinely appreciate a charity gift then fine. Caveat donor.
This is an extreme case, I know, but I know a family who have decided that they will all give to charity this Christmas instead of giving each other presents - and everyone but the parents can see quite well that the children are hoping Santa will be a lot nicer to them than Mummy and Daddy are.

Morcroft

The whole family, including great grandparents, forewent exchanging gifts this year in lieu of a cow from Heifer International. That makes us all feel like we're doing something together. Cheap plastic crap is for the kiddies.

WillScarlett