I’m committing to my New Year’s resolution to do less, but better, a little early this year, and I’m starting with Secret Santa gift exchanges.

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I’m not a grinch, and I don’t want to steal anyone’s holiday joy. But I am protecting myself (and others) from the pressure to hunt for, and spend money on, gifts that no one needs and are likely to be forgotten by the time every loose pine needle is finally swept up in the spring.

I’m also not interested in adding extra money to a holiday economy that keeps asking families for more while offering little in return.

This season, Canadians say they’ll spend an average of $1,646 on gifts, holiday food, decorations and entertainment — about $122 more than last year, according to investment management company JLL.

Much of that money will flow into companies that, at the same time, are limiting their investments in the people who deliver and buy their products and services.

Amazon, the unofficial sponsor of Secret Santa and the undisputed champion of online retail, has trained us to believe that joy can........

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