As a kid, Christmas was literally the best time of year. Several weeks off school, accompanied by wonderful foods my mom only made once a year and presents.

We’d do a sibling gift exchange where we’d each draw a name and then exchange gifts at our special dinner after mass on Christmas Eve. We would always be up past our bedtime, and then we’d go to bed with a warning that none of us was to come down for presents before 7 a.m. And by 6:30 each of us would have made at least one trip “to go to the bathroom” (to scope out what was under the tree before sneaking (tromping) back upstairs).

At 7, there was a flurry of stocking dumping and gift paper tearing. Then we all sat down to special breakfast (eggs, bacon, pancakes, muffins, even hand-squeezed juice one year) and then scattered to play with new toys until we set out for extended family gatherings.

As we grew up and started moving out on our own, we wanted practical things. And we wanted less. And less. And less and less.

Until finally last year, with all of us grown and on our own, we ended it. No more gifts – the children would get them but we over the age of 20 were just fine without – we have all we need and just want special breakfast on Christmas morning. We gave this no-gifts edict to our parents, who said okay. And two days later, my mother wanted to know what books each of us wanted.

For my mother and others like her, there is a lot of joy in watching people open gifts. She loves doing it and I guess for those inclined in that way, it’s just not the holidays without people tearing gifts open. And really, the idea that we could hold her to one small gift for each of us was a small miracle in itself, so we all grudgingly acquiesced. And all of us pooled our money and donated it to Heifer as our gift to our parents. Which they loved.

This year, we are doing much the same.

I’m not of the mind that gifts make the holiday count, but I do like to give when and where I feel the urge. And happily, I found a couple creative lists of alternatives to crowded shopping malls and last minute shopping here and here, and except for some kiddie gifts (kids get exceptions for all kinds of things around the holidays), I’ve stuck with my handmade pledge.

So whether you’re gearing up for Black Friday, or participating in Buy Nothing Day, a Happy Thanksgiving to you this week, and happy gift giving (or not).

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I also decided this year that I would not purchase any more wrapping paper. I have a roll left from last year, some brown postal paper, access to a huge supply of newspaper, and a few fabric remnants that will make great reusable gift bags or gift wrap. Crafting a Green World has some great packaging ideas from last holiday season. We’ll see how this pans out.