Well, you guys...I don't shop. Nobody here does either, except heads of companies come Rosh HaShannah and Passover time, when the employees get gifts (better, a bonus). Even for Hannukah, gifts are mostly for the kids and not expected to be major.
As a child growing up in the States, I always received a good number of brightly-wrapped boxes at Hannnukah time. What with the advertisements and general shopping atmosphere, and every other kid getting gifts at that time of year, I would have been offended if my parents hadn't provided us with the same. But here it's not like that. We focus on family gatherings and festive meals, which like in any society require some planning ahead and expense; some gifts may be exchanged among the grownups too, but the whole gift-shopping thing is not present in most of Israeli society. In sober truth (you should pardon the expression ;D): I am glad to be out of the consumer madness that floods the States at this time of year.
Miriam