So, this year we said, as always "a simple holiday, with few gifts". you know, like the whos in whoville. but it NEVER works that way. Like others, we are not done yet. Also like most people, we find it nearly impossible to stick to the plan. Before we beat ourselves up too much about this, I did point out that the number of people in the household (aka "the inner circle") can expect that modesty would still mean you needed to get 2 gifts for each person in the circle, and 2 more for the next circle - but only 2 for the next concentric circle of family. That is, my mom and stepdad, my dad and stepmom, my 3 grown brothers and each member of their family, and extended family, and my spouses parents, siblings and their family. For a moment consider the inner circle. If you get two gifts (NOT including the Santa gifts, which my wife pointed out I was remiss for not filling her stocking in addition to the other gifts, in addition to all the gifts that Santa brings the kids) for each member of the inner circle that means 2N(N-1) gifts for the inner circle alone will be purchased. My friends who are married without kids simply don't understand the exponential nature of this. For them, this yields 2*2(2-1)=4 gifts. If they had a single child this would be 2*3(3-1)=12. See the growth? By the time you have 4 children (like me) then you are at 2*6(6-1)=60. If you then add 2 more gifts for each of the 20 or so people in the second circle you are at 80. No wonder the economy is improving.