The holidays aren't my favorite time of year either, and from many of the posts I've seen here, we aren't alone by a long shot. I have a teen niece I buy for and I can afford a gift for her but she never seems to like what I buy. Last year I finally 'got it' ... I will buy her something I hope she likes but if she doesn't, it certainly won't make or break her life or mine.

This year I am going to change things up and take the month of December to focus on what Christmas means to me - a time for personal reflection and restoration.

I don't know how old your son is, but maybe if you plan some fun things with him like baking cookies, reading Christmas stories at night, talking about what matters ... things that aren't expensive, it could be a great holiday of time spent together doing meaningful things. He could even help plan some of the activities.