I’ve lived in the US for 30 years this month and mostly feel like an American (whatever that means) but November and December are still difficult months for me. I watch my otherwise intelligent friends as their obsession with spending and gift buying is cranked up to frenzy level. Check out an alternative to Black Friday such as Buy Nothing Day. see https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd for more details.
Perhaps I’m lucky – I was born with a gene that makes me immune to the lure of red gift wrap, and the word “collectible” I certainly enjoy trees and lights at Christmas and love to entertain, eat too much and watch corny movies but I never lose sight of the manipulation of selling the ” stuff”
Enjoy your family and friends – they will love you even if you don’t give them things. Hope to see you walking on the beach on November 27th.