Instead of buying gifts for each other, a bunch of us toss $50 each into a bucket and then adopt a needy family from a local school district. One of us coordinates with the family as to their needs/wants and then we shop. The fun part is in the delivery! We wrap (and wrap) and have Santa deliver the gifts. It is a sight to see the eyes light up when Santa enters with a big red bag stuffed with gifts. We also make sure they have food stuffs for a Christmas dinner and then some.
I need some new ideas for gifts! The family usually has several children and usually a single parent.