Call me Scrooge?

Hi readers, I've been MIA, I know -- a bit of unexpected medical leave. (Nothing to worry about.) But I'm back and eager to hear your money-related questions and personal finance story ideas. Post them here or e-mail me at abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com.

To get the ball rolling, I'll ask this: How much are you planning to spend on holiday gifts this season?

I have to say I'm rather proud of myself for scaling back. I recently suggested to my closest girlfriends, who happen to live in other states, that rather than send each other presents we commit to chatting on the phone more regularly. My pals and I hadn't been good -- what with the demands of our work and families -- about allowing ourselves the luxury of simply checking in on each other. And isn't that the point of being friends, looking after your friends and taking an interest in and knowing what's going on in their lives?

Likewise, my family -- my sister and parents -- decided to do away with holiday and birthday gift giving (except for the grandchildren, who Grandma and Grandpa enjoy shopping for). We decided we'd rather commit to spending time together at a yearly family get-together than try to come up with gifts that we need (and none of us really needs anything) or want (all of us can buy what we want ourselves).

It's a cheaper way to spend the holidays, but that's not the best part. The best is just being liberated from the chore. Anyone agree with me or do you think I'm a Scrooge?