i dont actively celebrate the 'true meaning of christmas' as it were.
Actually, you are. The true meaning of Christmas is in the connection between the individual and that which is greater. Now for Christians, that "greater" thing tends to be God (or at least it is supposed to, but you'll notice that even most Christians who reject commercialism put family, not God, in its place). Even if you don't believe in the divine, however, Christmas is still a time to connect with humanity at large, with your family, with your friends, etc. All of which are things that are greater than the individual.
Gift giving is not about the objects themselves, but the meaning behind those objects. It can't be found in shredding ornate paper to find a unique surprise, but in receiving a gift that tells you that the giver truly knows and understands you. And it can be found in the giving of a gift that tells someone else the same. Often, that special feeling at Christmas comes when a gift is so perfectly suited to someone that they didn't even know it themselves.
Unfortunately, most people don't have the time or insight to give gifts like that, which is a great tragedy.
Christmas is about knowing others and being known. That is the greatest human desire. For some, that's religious. For others, not so much. But it is the same thing. If you get and give that, then when it is given or received doesn't really matter that much.
