I totally agree with you. Also, I may add that I love giving gifts. I love thinking about the individual, picking it out wrapping it, and giving them. When I m told not to buy gifts, it takes something from my experience. We didn't get a lot of gifts through the year because my mom and dad were fiscally responsible, and didn't spoil us. We always had gifts for our birthday's and Christmas. We were never deprived. So when Christmas came the anticipation of what was under the tree was so exciting! Being Christians, we were also taught about Christ. We were told that Santa gives gifts because Christ gave himself for us. Santa never substituted Christ, he complimented Him. This is a personal decision and our childhood experience is going to have a lot to do with it. However, in my heart, I feel for children that don't know what Christmas with gifts can be.