war on xmas : why we fight

[Midnight Writer]

19. My large family decided a while back to stop giving presents. Sure cuts down on stress.

We still have a family gathering with a feast of food, with usually about 30 of us showing up.

It spares old timers like me from trying to figure out what six year old kids that I only see once or twice a year want, and trying to guess what they already have. It also spares the younger families that are still financially brittle from having to spend money on gifts for folks like me that don't need anything.

I would prefer skipping Christmas altogether and replacing in with a family reunion type event, one held in warmer weather. I feel sorry for the ones who have to travel across the country during the Christmas rush for a day of family communion. It is the gathering of the clan that is the true joy.