I agree with pretty much everything in this post.
Adding to that: Christmas is fun for kids, but not really for adults. I didn't think much of Christmas as I got older and really don't want any gifts. My mom always gives me one, though, and I usually ask for something simple like candles (I might be addicted. I have like 50 candles, at least; please send help).
Now that I have a son, things are a bit different. Not so much this year, but come this time next year when he truly has his "first" Christmas, it'll be a lovely holiday for him to be rewarded for his (hopefully) good behavior with whatever he wants. I'm forgoing the whole Santa thing for that reason. Christmas is about family and love, not presents, so I want him to associate his gifts with being responsible and bonding with his mother and father, rather than commercialism.
I also like giving back to my mom with gifts on Christmas as well. Just another facet of the family bonding and showing love in any way I can, even if it's just making a huge spread of food for my mom to come pick at so she won't have to make dinner or worry about cleaning up.
It'll be my first Christmas without my grandmother, but also my first Christmas with my puppies and son. It's a little bittersweet. Not going to be doing much this holiday season.