I agree. My kids got a few gifts (nooks to read with) and some clothes. Other than that.... everything was homemade and have to say I have never gotten so many hugs. I about cried when my eldest son (13 and not very huggy... I might get an arm around the shoulder kind of thing) gave me a huge hug for the quilt that I gave him and it wasn't even finished. I got the top done but still have to quilt it. He says he can't wait to have it on his bed. All my children loved their homemade gifts, but this is the one that I will remember giving forever. I just may stick to home made from now on lol. I spent the same amount as usual when you add up the supplies but I think they will get more enjoyment out of this more.

We have handmade all our gifts given for the past 39 years, because we have always felt the same as you. Too much commercialism. Our family looks forward to seeing what we've made for them each year. They all love it!!

I think that we should all back off from the commercialism of Christmas. It is so "plastic" anymore. I, too, am planning on giving more gifts that I have made, pouring the love into those items rather than buying things that have been made(more than likely) in foreign countries. I've told our children for the last few years that if something takes up more than 1 square inch of space, I don't want it. We have a house full of "stuff" and I am wanting to downsize. (In everything but my sewing/quilting, of course.) So, here's to 2012 and I hope that we keep these thoughts and resolutions.

Well said!

I told my middle son that next year it would be cookies (which I send every year to my 3 boys) and quilts for xmas, he said that was the best gifts , cookies and quilts, didnt eveyone get that for xmas, cause that was the best. He always knows the best things to say. So I had better get started. Also told him that i found some new cookie recipes to do for next xmas, he wants a preview around june/july to ensure that they are good enough for xmas. got to love him. But everyone is getting hand made something, no more bought stuff. So your on the right track and it will be a well treaded road.

I am so sick of the consumerism that my husband and I have decided not to observe Christmas on December 25 anymore. Instead of stressing myself out over a December 25 deadline, I've decided to make things throughout the year and give them throughout the year. I am personally sick of the mega-consumerism that's going on today. It's no news that a security guard at Walmart was trampled to death either last year or the year before during Christmas sales. Really? A man lost his life so someone could get something superfluous, unnecessary, and most likely made in China? Several years ago I heard horror stories of Black Friday shopping and decided then and there that if I didn't make it, it wasn't getting given, and for the most part I've stuck by that decision. I'm a happier person for it too.

I too am sick of the mega crap and even more so that almost everything we buy is made in China. So this year I made probably 50% of the gifts.My DIL said to me today "homemade gifts are the best"! Can't beat that. So yes, I intend to be focused on more items to make for 2012.

We stopped gift giving a few years ago. It is a material world we live in. I make what I can for those that like my handmade things, and make do with what my DH and I have. Love of family and friends. What more do we need?

I cut way back this year too and it was a much more enjoyable Christmas. I make things all year long and give them out when they are finished as I'm not stockpiling them. My sister got her Christmas quilt in November so that she could use it all of December and my nieces and nephews got their double layer fleece mitts at the end of October before they really needed them. I'm not doing the mad Christmas rush any more. I'm not anti-gift just anti Christmas craziness.