As a family, we agreed last year to stop the present-giving (but still buy cards). We can all afford to buy ourselves the little things we need, when we need them, no need to wait until Birthdays/Christmas for someone else to buy it - then they get the wrong type/size/colour or forget completely! Can't really see the point any more. Each year there is an article in the paper that states the $$ billion amount of presents returned for refunds immediately after Christmas. Doesn't that say something?
Instead we focus more on getting together as a family (we're "almost" empty-nesters) and just bringing a token bunch of flowers or box of chocolates for the occasion. It's a lot less stressful, not having to worry all the time "what on earth do I buy for so-and-so's birthday this year?". And how much more lovely it is when one of the (adult) children turns up unannounced on a random day of the year with a bunch of flowers for mum, just because they felt like it
