A century and a half ago, our region was a far-off frontier 2,000 miles from the "civilized" life of the East Coast. And the stark conditions of the American West meant that if pioneer families here wanted to give Christmas presents, they had to make do with what they had at hand. Families made their own gifts such as corn-husk dolls, carved wooden toys, embroidered handkerchiefs, sachets, knitted scarves and socks, canned preserves and candles. Children felt truly lucky if they received fresh fruit or penny candy as presents. People decorated their humble cabins or adobe homes with a tree cut in the wilderness and gaily decorated with yarn, ribbons and homemade decorations such as cookie dough ornaments.

Now days, parents purchase the most popular kill-'em video game or the hottest electronic fad - most likely made in Chinese factories - for their kids to find on Christmas morning. Perhaps in providing these modern presents, parents are denying their children a gift of greater value. The winter festival is about something greater than just the accumulation of more and more stuff. The season is about spiritual ideals.

Simplicity is the heart of spirituality. And the holidays - the holy days - are really intended to promote spiritual growth, not crass consumerism. This Christmas season will see a lot of local families facing lean times because of the current economic slump. Perhaps the financial crisis provides us with a lesson from the Old West pioneers. We need to keep our gift-giving simple and local.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting giving corn-husk dolls or carved wooden toys to the kiddies this Christmas. But I think we might enjoy our holidays more by focusing on giving friends and family members gifts that have more positive impact for the South Valley region.

One way to do this is to avoid the drive to crowded shopping malls in far off cities and instead spend our dollars on local products. Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Gilroy and Morgan Hill have numerous shops - particularly in their downtown districts - that offer a wide selection of unique items to put under the Christmas tree. I heartily recommend books as gifts - such as items you might find at BookSmart in Morgan Hill.

Our South Valley region also has numerous wineries and breweries where you can get a nice bottle of quality vino or a six-pack of thirst-quenching micro-brew as presents for folks who enjoy those beverages. Our region also has an excellent candy-maker in the Marich Confectionery Company headquartered in Hollister which makes a fine outlet for good quality chocolate gifts. Casa de Fruta along Pacheco Pass offers locally grown dried fruit and other products that make perfect presents. Morgan Hill has a "country store" at Andy's Orchard which also offers dried fruit, candy and delicious sugar plums during the holiday season.

Gilroy has the Garlic Shoppe where you can find garlic braids, olive oil and other food products as well as an assortment of kitchen gadgets for people who love spending time making meals. And San Juan Bautista's mission church has a gift shop in which you can find unique religious-focused items as well as holiday decorations for people on your gift list.

Celebrating a pioneer-style Christmas means you don't have to give material items. People appreciate "experience" gifts such as a gift certificate to a local family-run restaurant (there are plenty of them throughout the South Valley) or tickets to the local movie house, a day at the spa, a sporting event, a concert or a museum.

Or you can make your own special certificate for friends or family members that can be exchanged in the new year for a home-cooked gourmet meal or a free night of babysitting that will be provided on a mutually-convenient date.

People who have plenty might also appreciate it if you give the gift of a donation in their name to one of the South Valley's local charities. One example is the Community Solutions non-profit group which has an "adopt a family" program during the holidays that helps people in need have a happier holiday season.

This holiday season, let's learn a thing from the South Valley pioneers and seek out simplicity in our gift-giving. Instead of maxing out our credit cards and starting the new year with financial stress, let's remember that the spirit of giving always starts in the heart.

Marty Cheek Marty Cheek is the author of 'The Silicon Valley Handbook.' His column appears every Friday of the month. You can reach him by email.