Xmas Gift expextations/traditions

[J_is_my_initial]

My mom loves to get everyone "real" presents but loves to get gift cards. She always tells us she is not buying much each year and does anyway.
One year i set up a free website and listed about 5 things that each of us wanted. This included me and dh, mom and dad, my sister, my brother, my dd, and my aunt who joins us. We celebrate Christmas eve and the youngest who can read (my dtr who turned 26 yesterday) and after all are handed out, we open them in the order of our age. I admit there is a competition to see who has the most presents each year. Usually dd wins. Only grandchild, go figure!

With dh's family there are now 9 of us. Since his mom died several years ago, we all draw names (again dd is the youngest). We get together on halloween and draw names. We take turns on who get to make plans for the gift exchange. We go to a restrurant usually. This year it is my turn and i picked Perkins. We try to plan it for the closest Sat of thier mom's bday which is the 14th. My only rule is if that sat is the 17th another date is needed as that is our wedding anniversary. We put down 3-4 things on our list and have to choose one of them. the prices have to be a high and a low.

I try to listen to what my family wants, but it is hard. My mom gives dad a pic out of a catalog, or the item name, price, where to get it any other details. Dad then hands list to me, and i shop for him. which mom likes.

She once asked for some Charlie perfume. He bought her the cologne, the perfume, the powder and any other form it came in. gotta love him.

[GuinnessStout]

Does everybody else's families also get family pets presents?
I had more pet's on my list last year than people lol my stepmom will bring home any homeless pet she could find as long as it got in the car, well even then I have had to drive her to the hospital for a cat bite of a cat that did not want to go lol but my parents are down to one dog Joey and I think 7 cats yes all inside the house, her parents have 2 dogs, my uncle has a cat and dog, and Ryan's mom has a parrot so everybody gets treats and toys for Christmas.