Now is the time for the 'no holiday gift' conversation

For the past two years my husband and I have had an agreement with my mom and my brother and sister-in-law to not buy each other gifts and instead donate money to a non-profit. This year my dad has hopped on board the charity train. Our phone conversation went something like this:

Dad: Last Christmas I got a notice in the mail saying that your brother made a contribution in my name to a charity. Is this something new you guys are doing?

Me: Well, we've been doing it with Mom for the past couple of years, and I think it's a great idea. I like forgoing stuff we don't really need to help people who are truly in need. Are you cool with that?

Dad: You mean you don't want another garden gnome?

Me: I think we're good.

Dad: Okay.

(This is where I pause to mention how much I love my dad, an avid reader of this blog.)

My Christmas shopping list just got a little shorter, and I feel so good about where our money is going. It warms my heart and makes me truly experience the joy of giving. And doing this now when our kids are young and talking to them about what we're doing will hopefully create a lasting impression that they will carry on one day. I think it's the best carbon-free, high-return gift you can give, and I'm grateful that my family is so supportive of it.

I know that sometimes these conversations can be hard, and it can be really difficult for people to let go of tradition. Have you had the conversation? Have you managed to alter tradition with your family and forego gifts of stuff in favor of bigger gestures?