One way our family has simplified is to celebrate on St. Nicholas Eve (Dec. 5). We started this when my husband worked in a grocery store and life was just insanely busy the closer it got to Christmas day. We do not go crazy with gift giving, but draw names among ourselves. My husband and I gifted our married children with movie certificates and coupons for dinner out and picked out a few gifts for the grand children in line with their interests. For the children, it gives them more time to actually enjoy gifts than to have them all accumulate at one time in an overwhelming manner!

And, I sort of like St. Nicholas. We set out two pair of wooden shoes and fill them with candy.