I can totally relate to the whole gift-exchanging thing declining sharply. It doesn't help that my family became hopelessly fragmented, and we went from these big gatherings with a lot of camraderie, presents, food, decorations, and Good Times to these small gatherings of four or five people eating a reserved meal, giving a few presents, and then just doing whatever we normally do on a weekend. Sometimes it was nice to have these small gatherings, especially when I've had it with people I don't see much any more, but normally it's ... really unremarkable, and not a special time, you know?
And this year, I'll probably spend Christmas by myself. I was hoping some family would be coming down to me in Melbourne, but that's now not going to be possible. I'm not too disappointed though ... I haven't had Christmas at my own place for years, so I'll like having it on my own terms.