Well, we're actually going to Orlando this year ... so I'm sorta counting that as a 'gift' for all three of us, although we only do big trips like this once every several years. In light of that, Santa went a little easy on the material items this year. Once again, I'm with Alice on the Legos ... that is all my son can talk about - Lego Indiana Jones has been his particular favorite the last few months. Also, a Bionicle, a sled, and some great stocking stuffers ... oh and Bendaroos (which Target now carries). A few years ago we each started taking our son out solo and having him pick out one gift for Mom and Dad ... typically there is a $20 limit. This year we are both getting comfy/cushy slippers. :) Happy Holidays!

For the kids, we do one "big" gift from Santa that's not wrapped. This year, my 6-year-old daughter is getting a pink electric guitar with a small amp (and we'll hook her up with lessons); my 2-year-old son is getting a few sets of Geotrax... each kids' gift was bought from Craigslist for WAY cheaper than in the stores (Geotrax are ridiculously expensive!). They each get a few smaller things from us, too, and lots more from the grandparents and aunts and uncles. My husband is impossible to shop for, and he doesn't offer much help, so when he does request something, I snatch it up. This year it's a holder for his iTouch and some new shoes. I don't know what I'll get this year. I've dropped hints about wanting spa gifts cards (seriously the best thing anyone could ever get me), pots (because I threw away a pot and lid that started on fire on my stovetop...only realize that the lid fit another pan, which is now lidless=oops!), a purse with matching wallet (I like Fossil), a CD by the band The xx and slippers... my birthday is a week after Xmas, so I can give lots of gift ideas without feeling too selfish!

A few years ago, when everyone started to have kids (and at the suggestion of a girlfriend who had had a child almost 7 years ago) my husband and I basically started giving gifts ONLY to children. (with the exception of my mother and father-in-law). But I tend to go for quality, and I like to look for something a little different than what they already may have. So far, this seems to have taken a lot of stress out of the holidays for us. Since there were actually a few things that I wanted for myself, I was thinking of getting a couple of "me" presents this year, small things, a pair of boots, a necklace, some work shoes - things that hubby wouldn't even begin to know my taste on. My SIL told me that for most holidays, she and her husband don't exchange gifts either unless it was previously arranged.... and then it might be "oh, well we went on this vacation 2 months before Chanukah/Our Anniversary/insert holiday here let's just have that be the holiday gift". This year, there are a few broadway shows my husband I would like to go see, so I think that's going to be our rationale.

My list is about a mile long but like Giyen, I'm the only parent at our house. Money is crazy short this year so I'm finding it extremely difficult to find creative and affordable gift ideas for 3 teen and pre-teen girls, all of whom are praying for iPods. Yikes! http://www.theladyslounge.com

Steve and I both strongly believe in quality over quantity. We are constantly on a mission to declutter our home. There are a few VERY big ticket items that I would like this year, but we are focused on the budget. We may go out on a nice date or two instead of exchanging gifts.

The last two years hit us hard. First we had to sell our business, then relocated to a new state. Since the move my husband has been our only source of steady income. So, we've been forced to basically live on one income for the first time ever. In doing so, it gave us a lot of perspective on all the stuff we were wasting our hard-earned money on before...like expensive coffees, brand name this and that. We buy generic products now whenever possible even from our pharmacy which is now in Canada and we can get generic version of our medication there for about 1/4 the cost we were paying in the U.S. We don't buy new clothes, shoes, or expensive coffees and we don't eat out. Our dates nights are spent in, once a week after the kids go to bed. Christmas, although just as joyful as always, we don't have a bunch of stuff under the tree the kids will forget about in a few days. Instead, there are thoughtful gifts for each of our four boys. We've done a lot more family-free things...and there are a lot of them this time of year. We've driven around to look at lights in 3 different towns...the kids love it...baked our holiday cookies together this year....make our own x-mas decorations ol'school with paper snowflakes and daisy chains we all made together and attending our Church's annual candlelight service. So, there's really nothing special on their "lists" this year just adding to the stuff they really like to do all year round. Me, well my husband and I haven't been able to get each other gifts for a few years now and we don't seem to mind. Although, the twins did break my digital camera...so if I could, I'd really like a new one of those to capture our Christmas memories. Other than that, it's cookies for Santa and veggies for the reindeer...reading of T'was the Night Before Christmas...wrapping til the wee hours with my soulmate....watching the kids eyes and excitement Christmas morning and a bountiful Christmas brunch! Yummmmm

We are doing Lego's for our son this year. He's only 4, but we do have a ton of Lego's in our house too. I asked for baking things. I got the response from my husband, "buying baking stuff is like buying a vacuum cleaner"....so who knows...I really don't need anything.