I like the gift cert route too. Especially for my in-laws, they are 73 and 78 years old and don't need "things". I feel bad for my own family (mother, father, step-monster, sister, brother, niece and nephew) they live far away, so we stopped the gift exchange with them a couple years ago. I'll send my niece and nephew a few bucks, and maybe my dad if we see him around Xmas. The gift thing isn't that important to my side of the family. BUT MY IN-LAWS HAVE TO DO THE GIFT THING! I like "just because" gifts. Those are presents I give at any time of year, something I just had to pick up for someone because I just knew it was the perfect gift. When I HAVE TO buy gifts, I get stuck. dh has 6 nieces and nephews that truly have everything and we STILL have to buy for them. But this year, I'm cutting down and making it simple. I'm in a good mood right now and I plan to give that to my family and friends! S