XMas presents, page-7

Many years ago our family decided on the no presents thing. Largely on the basis that we'd rather just spontaneously buy a gift at odd occasions throughout the year to say "thinking of you with love" than subscribe to what has become a gross commercial occasion.

Also simplified the meal rather than over-eat and feel uncomfortable.

Both the huge amount of presents (with the inevitable credit card debt for many) and the unnecessarily large amount of food seem a bit obscene when thinking about how many people will spend Christmas with no home, no one to care about them, and no prospect of any improvement in their lives.

Might be good to look around your neighbourhood and see if anyone who would otherwise be alone might like to join in an after dinner drink or coffee on Christmas Day.

Just one aside on Christmas: I'm all for protecting children from abuse but think Hetty Johnson has become ridiculous when she insists little kids should no longer sit on Santa's knee in a shopping centre.
For god's sake, there are people all around, all observing and listening to every word. If we continue to demonise simple fun kid things, we will be creating a bigger monster of fear than already exists.