This was one of the most heartening posts I've read in a long time. I feel exactly the same way. Thankfully I've got crafty friends who do make their children fancy dress costumes and home-made presents which are gorgeous.

You got it spot on. Christmas should be about good company, warmth, fun, those delicious smells of cooking, and spices. About decorating trees - and not putting them up two months beforehand, for crying out loud! It should be about love not money.