T'was the night before Christmas

[Niall]

If your family and friends are that important you shouldnt need to be forced into seeing them once and year and expect presents. (plus all the stress and extra cost involved)
You should see them when you want and buy them presents out of free will.

My 2p.

Who says anything about presents?
Thing is yes you should see friends and family as and when you can but sometimes its not all possible due to work commitments. Most people don't work over christmas so its an ideal time.