Holiday Shift: Family Ditches Gifts, Finds Relief

One U.S. family has replaced Christmas presents with presence—and found their holiday stress lifted. Lori Peloso, a mother from New Jersey, traditionally enjoys gift-giving. This year, she made a conscious choice to change her approach. She decided to prioritize spending time with loved ones instead of spending money on gifts. Peloso reports that the decision was met with widespread approval. "Everybody was relieved," she said. The move highlights a growing trend of consumers seeking simpler, less material-focused holidays amid economic pressures. The story was reported by Elaine Quijano.