My family tried this recently, and it's worked pretty well:
1. 6 of us each put 10 -15 dollars in an envelope, go to the grocery store, and purchase a turkey or ham, and all the ingredients for a large dinner, then take it all down to the food bank and donate it.
2. We stop be a local deli. on the way home and order sandwiches and drinks for ourselves, then eat, chat, and relax.
3. We go home, forget about Christmas, and do what we want to do.
Less expense, stress, and pressure; and perhaps a little more in keeping with the spirit of Christmas than buying lots of merchandise for people who don't really need it.
