[notfarnow]

Amen! We started about 5 years ago, and we call it "Make it, Bake it or I won't take it". It's completely changed how we experience Christmas. Instead of stressing at a packed mall about getting throwaway gifts for people who already have more than enough, we spend our time leading up to Christmas at home, cooking, baking and doing crafts.


We've loosened up the rules in the past couple years and now allow the purchase of books, and we can also give items we own but think someone else might enjoy.