It's too late for this year, but I think MANY people balk at the idea of doing NOTHING for Christmas, especially when it comes to family. I'd suggest that instead of saying, "Let's not exchange gifts", you suggest that your traditional gift-giving frenzy be replace with something much smaller, more manageable. Examples:
- Suggest that at Thanksgiving all the adults draw names and purchase one gift for just that person.
- Suggest that every adult bring one generic gift to the family get-together, then do a gift exchange.
- Suggest that everyone bring stocking stuffers only, and put out a big gift bag for each person (kind of like Valentine mailboxes back in elementary school), and have everyone drop in their stocking stuffers ANNONYMOUSLY.
- Suggest that you do some sort of family outing, and the experience IS everyone's gift to one another. For example, we've talked about doing a family cruise, and taking the trip together would be the gift -- no gifts would be exchanged on Christmas day, except perhaps between parents and children, which would be done in private rather than with the extended family.
This isn't just about money. It's about keeping Christmas simple and allowing everyone time to focus on the real meaning of the season, which has nothing to do with Santa or gifts. If you come at it from this point of view, acknowledging that the financial savings is an added perk, you will likely meet with more success.