Each family member then has one person to lavish attention and gifts on. The name picking should be done early on though, possibly in September for the winter holidays. This way, those early birds won't get ahead of the game and be left out. An alternative to cutting names from your gift giving, is cutting down on extravagance. Homemade gifts are charming and cherished, from canned jellies and jams to handstitched quilts - recipients know that it is the time you spent that adds meaning to the gift.
Simplicity can be the key to making gift giving easier.
Decide on a theme and apply it to the names on your list. Choose an appropriate artist for each person. Something for everyone there, from fishing guides to the creepiest vampire stories, it's all a matter of taste. The idea is to think of the person and choose a title that reflects their interests. It really is the thought that counts.