Although I’ve suggested forgoing gifts for the grownups, the people in the extended family are resistant. So each Xmas, I find myself buying meaningless crap for people I don’t know very well. Hardly what the season is about.
This year I’ve ordered a ton of gifts from Global Girlfriend, one of the Women for Women stores. They have really cool stuff, it’s distinctive rather than mass-produced mall gifts, and all the purchases go to support and help women in war-torn countries or other at-risk situations. I’m also exploring through a Google search for fair trade gifts, looking for something for my FIL. It makes me feel a whole lot better about shopping this year.
*Warning - shopping like this may lead you to spend more, e.g., “Oh, it’s for a good cause; I might as well buy that gorgeous recycled sari cell phone case for me!”