I got out of the race years ago, first for financial reasons and then later I couldn't wrap my brain around resuming it. For years, I tried to make sure my family had a 'good' Christmas by buying gifts ... from everyone to everyone else.
It is mind-boggling to consider how much $$$ I spent and stress I put myself through - getting gifts to everyone from everyone else. Criminy.
It was pointless. When I stopped, all the gift-giving did.
Now I have my small tree, my small worship group (with carols this Sunday!) and community service, which goes on year-round as it should.
I like the question about where those opposed to consumerism are the rest of the year.
Mom and Chris 'need' too much and finances are too tight for me to go on a spree to meet all their needs at once, so a few small gifts will have to suffice.
We needed a hand-held showerhead for her baths - I advertised on freecycle, and within the hour I had one I am planning to pick up today. With the exception of a few precious gifts, I furnished my apartment this way - between freecycle and craigslist.
All a round-about way of saying, you can eliminate much of the commercialism if you decide you want to.
Edit to add - I think it's easier for me because my family didn't much care - I was the one who wanted the 'real Christmas' - all those Brady Bunch episodes growing up.
And about New Year's Eve - I tend to stay home, though there have been a couple of better-forgotten exceptions in the past few years. I like to go for a hike on New Year's Day.