There are a few unwritten rules in my family when it comes to giving gifts: only spend money when necessary, you don’t need to give to everybody every year and the best gifts are those that took thought, not cash. That is, if you can’t find something in your closet, or around the house, to pass along, then simply write a card and wait for the following year for inspiration.

In this video, you can take a peek at our family Christmas celebrations over a decade or two. By giving without shopping, we have a lot of time for just hanging out as a clan* (*clan refers to family, extended family, invented family and friends).