Rather than buy lots of consumer gear for people at Christmas, why not do something different that doesn't end up being shoved in the back of a cupboard or on Ebay a few days later? Help fund a little bit of a woodland and dedicate it to your family so they can visit (and benefit) in the future. http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/supportus/index.htm Or, help pay for teachers, livestock and other useful items for people in the developing world. http://www.concerngifts.org/gifts.php http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/chooseagift.aspx It makes a nice change from talc and pay-as-you-go mobile phones. I've done it in the past, and young children love the idea of buying a goat or chickens for families abroad - Some family members don't understand why you'd spend their present money on someone else and some do - the fun is finding out which approve and which don't. Its a nice way of making everyone less self-centred come the festive season.