Ok, so what should we do for x-mas this year?

every year we get together with my husband's family on x-mas eve. his mom makes chili and decorates cookies with the kids. we also give all of the grandkids (11) gifts. this has gotten quite expensive, especially this year. my husband's mom won't be there this year so i want to suggest that we do something different like go on some type of outing together or just have dinner and icecream or something instead of exchanging gifts. not only are the gifts expensive, but our kids come home with a TON of toys and most of them are just played with a few times. anyway, we live near atlanta, ga. what are some good, inexpensive things we can all do together in december?